Carpal Tunnel Release Surgery in Pearland, TX

What Is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?

Carpal tunnel syndrome is what happens when a nerve in your wrist, called the median nerve, gets compressed. It runs through this narrow passageway in your wrist, and when things get too cramped in there, you end up with numbness, tingling, and pain in your hand and fingers.

Signs It’s Time to Consider Carpal Tunnel Surgery

Not everyone with carpal tunnel syndrome ends up needing surgery. A lot of people find relief from a brace, some medicine, or physical therapy. But surgery seems like the right decision when:

• Symptoms persist despite other treatments, no matter what else you try
• Numbness or weakness gradually worsens
• Your grip’s noticeably weaker than it used to be
• Testing turns up signs of nerve damage
• Pain’s making it hard to get through your day

Your surgeon will take a look at your symptoms and test results before bringing up surgery.

What Is Carpal Tunnel Release Surgery?

This surgery takes pressure off the nerve in your wrist. Your surgeon releases (cuts) the transverse carpal ligament, which gives the nerve more room and eases your symptoms. There are two ways to do this:

Open Carpal Tunnel Release Surgery

This is the traditional, more common method. The surgeon makes one cut, usually across your palm and wrist, to reach the tissue pressing on the nerve directly. Since your doctor can see everything clearly, this method works well for a lot of people, including those with more complicated cases or past wrist surgery.

Healing can take a little longer than the other method, since the cut is bigger. Your surgeon will tell you what to expect for your case.

Endoscopic Carpal Tunnel Release Surgery

This method uses a tiny camera to help guide the surgery through a small cut. It’s less invasive, tends to leave a smaller scar, and usually means you’re back to normal faster than with open surgery.

The surgeon slides a thin tool with a tiny camera through a small cut in your wrist. That way, they can see what’s going on inside without having to make a bigger incision. Not everyone is a good fit for this method; your doctor will decide which one works best for you.

How Dr. Burke Performs Carpal Tunnel Release Surgery

Carpal tunnel surgery with Dr. Burke is done as an outpatient procedure, so you head home the same day. Dr. Burke starts by checking out your symptoms, examining your wrist, and possibly ordering nerve conduction studies to confirm what’s going on.

Most patients get local or regional anesthesia, so you’re comfortable the whole time. Depending on your case, Dr. Burke performs either an open or endoscopic release, which usually takes less than 30 minutes. Before you head home, his team walks you through instructions for wound care and activity restrictions.

Recovering from Carpal Tunnel Surgery

How fast you heal depends on your surgery and your health. Most people feel less numbness and tingling pretty quickly, though full healing takes a bit longer.

You might need to wear a wrist splint for a while. Light activities usually start up again within a few days, but anything more strenuous might need a few weeks. Your surgeon will map out a healing timeline just for you.

Some patients benefit from hand therapy or rehabilitation exercises to improve grip strength and range of motion. Your surgeon will recommend them if appropriate.

Advantages of Carpal Tunnel Release Surgery

Most patients experience:

• Less numbness and tingling in their fingers and hand
• Grip strength that keeps getting better over time
• A lower chance of permanent nerve damage
• Better sleep, since those symptoms that used to disrupt sleep tend to subside
• Getting back to everyday life without the pain

Risks and Disclaimers

Like all surgeries, there are some risks to be aware of: infection, stiffness, or persistent symptoms. Your surgeon will walk you through these risks and answer any questions before your procedure.

Choosing a carpal tunnel surgeon who really knows what they’re doing goes a long way toward minimizing these risks and making recovery easier.

Why Choose Us for Carpal Tunnel Surgery in Pearland, TX?

Dr. Burke is board-certified by the American Board of Orthopedic Surgery and has been at this for over 35 years; he brings deep expertise in orthopedic care. We handle hand and wrist problems with modern techniques that take the pressure off your nerves and get you feeling better.

We’re not going to rush you into anything, especially surgery. We’ll check things out thoroughly first, and then break down all your options so you actually know what’s going on- no confusing medical jargon or surprises. We also offer same-day and next-day appointments so you don’t have to wait long for answers.