Carpal tunnel syndrome is a condition caused by nerve compression in the wrist.  The actual carpal tunnel structure is a narrow passageway located on the palm side of the wrist, which protects one of the main nerves in the hand as well as the tendons tasked with bending the fingers.

There are several factors that may contribute to a patient’s carpal tunnel syndrome, including:

• Underlying health problems
• How you use your hand
• The anatomy of your wrist

Carpal tunnel syndrome is progressive so it’s best to seek treatment as quickly as possible. Patients with mild symptoms may ease their discomfort by avoiding certain activities, taking frequent hand breaks, and using cold packs to minimize swelling.

If these techniques are not effective, more intensive non-surgical treatments may be recommended. These include:

• Intermittent wrist splinting to stabilize the wrist
• Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to alleviate pain
• Corticosteroids injections to reduce swelling and inflammation

The Procedure

When surgical intervention is necessary, BSSNY surgeons will perform endoscopic surgery. Considered the least invasive method of surgery, endoscopic surgery entails the surgeon making a small incision of less than a half-inch, then inserting an endoscope – a small tube approximately the size of a #2 pencil – through the incision. The tube houses a light source, irrigation channel, a working channel for micro instrumentation, and a high-definition camera connected to a large monitor.

Because endoscopic surgery is so minimally invasive, there is little to no damage to skin, muscles, ligaments, and bone so there is less post-op pain and patients also tend to heal faster.