Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is a condition where there is excessive pressure on one of the main nerves (median nerve) as it passes through the wrist to the hand. The median nerve supplies sensation and movement to parts of the hand and passes through a tunnel (carpal tunnel) in the wrist to reach the hand. Excessive pressure on this nerve can result in symptoms of numbness, tingling, weakness or muscle damage. Patients who suffer from this condition often report waking up at night with pain and requiring to “shake” their hand to relieve their symptoms. The cause of this condition is attributed to multiple factors but excessive repetitive movements can be associated with this condition.

Surgery to relieve CTS involves making an incision from the middle of the palm of your hand to your wrist. Tissue that is pressing on the nerve is then removed to release pressure on the median nerve relieving CTS symptoms.