Does release surgery solve carpal tunnel syndrome?
No. Surgery does not address the problems of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), it only addresses the symptoms that are causing pain. Carpal tunnel syndrome is an irritation of the median nerve due to the tendons in the wrists becoming inflamed and putting constant pressure on the nerve. This irritation is what eventually will lead to the classic symptoms of CTS (tingling, pins and needles sensation, numbness, hand clumsiness). Release surgery if successful will eliminate these symptoms by freeing up more space in the carpal tunnel (a ligament in the wrist is split). This extra room eliminates the tendons constantly irritating the median nerve. Keep in mind that on average the hand only has about 70 percent of its normal strength after a patient recovers from surgery. Also if no work or lifestyle changes are made after surgery the risk factors that contributed to CTS from developing still exist and will lead to a relapse.
