Hand And Wrist Institute Now Offers Endoscopic Carpal Tunnel Release
Submitted by: I-Newswire
2011-12-28 11:10:08
Those suffering from Carpal Tunnel can now find relief with the professional services of the Hand and Wrist Institute
Los Angeles (OPENPRESS) December 27, 2011 - Carpal tunnel syndrome is an illness caused by a pinched median nerve at the wrist. The pressure on the median nerve causes swelling near the carpal tunnel, a small opening at the lower part of the hand. The swelling can occur due to a number of reasons: stress at work, injury, cysts, retention of fluid and repetitive use of vibrating equipment like a jackhammer.
Treatment on carpal tunnel syndrome is either surgical or non-surgical methods. Non-surgical involves taking medications that can alleviate the swelling and pain such as anti-inflammatory medications similar to those taken by arthritis patients, ibuprofen, corticosteroids, oral diuretics, exercise, herbal remedies, alternative treatments and lifestyle changes. This kind of treatment is often provided to those with mild carpal tunnel syndrome.
If non-surgical treatment does not produce results, then the patient needs a surgical procedure especially for severe cases. People manifesting symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome beyond six months are advised by a hand specialist to undergo a surgery called carpal tunnel release.
More than 350,000 people undergo carpal tunnel release procedure each year. Carpal tunnel surgery is done in two ways. Open release, the traditional method, and endoscopic carpal tunnel release. In an open release surgery, the doctor will make a 2 inch incision. Then, he cuts the transverse carpal ligament to open up the carpal tunnel.
The other method is called endoscopic carpal tunnel release. In this procedure, the surgeon makes a smaller incision, about 1cm in length. He then inserts a video camera which broadcasts images to a tv monitor. This allows him to see the condition of the inside of the wrist and actual location of the problem. The specialist surgeon cuts the transverse carpal ligament to ease up the swelling on the median nerve.
HAWI specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of hand and wrist disorders. Aside from the new endoscopic carpal tunnel surgery, HAWI also treats aging hands using Radiesse Volume Replacement to make the hand look younger. Hand injuries and disorders such as hand arthritis specialist Los Angeles, Boutonniere Finger, burns, wrist cartilage tears, hand numbness, hand tumors, hand nerve injuries, fractures and sprains, infections and bites are all treated effectively by HAWI.