Carpal Tunnel – Latest Research

Transcript

“To the best of my knowledge, there’s nothing new on the carpal tunnel front. The biggest breakthrough since I’ve been in practice has been the endoscopic carpal tunnel release, which I personally do not perform. I prefer to see the nerve under direct visualization when I perform a transverse carpal ligament release. One of the problems with an endoscopic release is that there can be potential irritation of the nerve because you’re sticking a camera into the region of the carpal tunnel and that camera can irritate the nerve. Another possibility would be incomplete release of the transverse carpal ligament. One of the advantages that’s been found a clinically to an endoscopic carpal tunnel release is a quicker return to work and activities, but the longterm outcome – whether it be an open carpal tunnel release or an endoscopic carpal tunnel release – has been found to be the same.
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