How to Get Surgery for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

There are a variety of ways to correct carpal tunnel syndrome, although in serious cases surgery may be the best long-term solution. If it's necessary to get surgery for carpal tunnel syndrome surgery it's key to be properly prepared. Read on to learn more about how to get surgery for carpal tunnel syndrome.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

1. Ask your doctor about the possibility of endoscopic carpal tunnel surgery. This type of treatment allows the surgeon to use a tiny camera to look inside your wrist, remove scar tissue and reduce pressure along your median nerve. You want to ask about this type of surgery, instead of open incision surgery, because it almost always has a faster recovery time.
2. Find an experienced surgeon in your area that can perform carpal tunnel surgery. Your doctor should be able to refer you to a surgeon who specializes in hand surgeries. You may need to travel to a large hospital in order to get endoscopic surgery because it is a newer procedure that's not as widely practiced.
3. Interview with possible surgeons and ask about the expected recovery time for your operation. You'll also have to carefully read and sign a legal waiver that releases the surgeon from certain malpractice claims in the event of a problem with the anesthesia.
4. Speak with the human resources or employee benefits office at your work. Ask about whether or not you will receive paid leave during your operation and recovery time. You should expect to be out of work for several days, although full recovery can sometimes take two to three weeks.
5. Finance your surgery for carpal tunnel syndrome. Your health insurance will probably cover the majority of your procedure and your employer may pay for some of it if the carpal tunnel syndrome was caused by your job. Surgery is expensive, so you might need to talk to your bank about getting a small loan if you have neither health insurance nor a contribution from your employer.
6. Ask a friend or family member to drive you to the hospital on the day you get surgery for carpal tunnel syndrome. The general anesthesia used with open incision surgery will make you too drowsy to drive home afterwards. Some surgeons will actually require that you sign a waiver saying that you will not drive for 12 hours after your surgery.

Tips & Warnings

• Surgery should be considered a last resort for carpal tunnel treatment. Anti-inflammatory medication and ergonomic evaluations are two affordable ways to try and correct carpal tunnel syndrome.