Dealing with hand and wrist pain can be endlessly frustrating in its ability to prevent you from interacting with the world around you. Every daily activity can become a struggle. Managing and treating wrist pain should always be a priority, but how do you know if surgery is a viable option? Here are some of the most common conditions that can be treated with surgery:
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Carpal tunnel syndrome is caused by pressure on the median nerve in the hand and results in a pain, tingling, numbness, swelling, and weakness. Surgery can relieve the pressure on the nerve by creating a small incision on the transverse carpal ligament and relieving the pressure.
Recovery from this surgery usually takes about four to six weeks and may require hand therapy.
Tennis Elbow (Lateral Epicondylitis)
Tennis elbow, also commonly referred to as golfer’s elbow, is a type of painful tendonitis that results in pain on the outer side of the elbow and forearm. Symptoms are typically most severe while gripping and lifting with the hand in specific positions.
Chronically irritated tissues can be removed though surgery, with the main goal to relieve pain. Surgery alleviates the symptoms of tennis elbow in around 70-90% of patients.
Ganglion Cyst
Ganglion cysts, which are small fluid-filled lumps, grow out of the tissues surrounding a joint. While most commonly occurring on the back or underside of the wrist, they can appear on a number of joints on the hand.
While mostly harmless, a ganglion cyst can put pressure on the nerves that pass through the joint, causing pain, tingling, and muscle weakness. If a ganglion cyst is recurring, or doesn’t respond to nonsurgical treatment, a procedure can be performed that removes the ganglion, as well as the involved joint capsule that’s considered its root.
To learn more about how hand and wrist surgery can help you eliminate your pain, contact the award-winning orthopedic surgeons at Michigan Hand and Wrist, P.C. and discuss with them your individualized treatment plan.