Carpal Tunnel Surgery for Patients in Jackson, WY, and Throughout Western Wyoming
Carpal tunnel surgery may be recommended to address severe symptoms – such as hand and wrist pain, weakness, numbness, and tingling – that are caused by median nerve entrapment and persist despite non-surgical treatment. The carpal tunnel is a narrow passageway that allows several tendons and the median nerve to pass between the wrist and the hand. If this passageway is obstructed by inflammation, excess pressure may be exerted on the median nerve, which can disrupt its function and cause it to transmit erroneous sensory signals that produce painful symptoms. For a prompt diagnosis and treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome, patients in Jackson, WY, and the surrounding Western Wyoming area can consult with the hand, wrist, and upper extremity specialists at Teton Orthopaedics.
After confirming a diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome using the results of a clinical evaluation and possibly electrodiagnostic testing, the experts at Teton Orthopaedics in Jackson Hole can discuss treatment options with a patient. Before recommending carpal tunnel surgery, we typically will encourage a patient to try one or more non-surgical approaches, such as:
- A limited period of rest and activity restriction (avoidance of any activities that worsen symptoms)
- Wrist immobilization with splinting
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and pain relievers
- Hand therapy
- Steroid injections
If conservative treatments do not provide sufficient relief, we may advise a patient to consider carpal tunnel surgery. The goal of this procedure is to create more space for the median nerve by releasing the ligament that forms the “roof” of the carpal tunnel on the palm side of the hand. In this way, a surgeon can expand the passageway and reduce pressure on the median nerve. Additionally, we may recommended hand therapy before or after surgery (or both) to ensure the best possible outcome for a patient.
At Teton Orthopaedics, we offer advanced carpal tunnel surgery and other highly specialized treatments for a full range of hand, wrist, and upper extremity conditions to help our patients maintain their active lifestyles in the Jackson, WY, area. Contact us to learn more or schedule an appointment.