What is carpal tunnel syndrome surgery?

Carpal tunnel syndrome is a condition characterized primarily by numbness, pain, and weakness in the fingers due to compression of the median nerve at the wrist. Generally speaking, carpal tunnel surgery refers to a surgical procedure aimed at relieving the compressed median nerve within the carpal tunnel. The operation is performed under brachial plexus anesthesia, with an incision made on the ulnar side of the thenar eminence. The skin and subcutaneous tissues are opened to expose the ligaments and tendons. Surrounding muscles are bluntly dissected using hemostatic forceps, and the ligament is retracted carefully to avoid injuring the median nerve. The median nerve is meticulously dissected to assess the degree of compression and any adhesions with surrounding tissues. Depending on the extent of nerve compression, neurolysis is performed to decompress the nerve and achieve resolution of the condition.