Carpal Tunnel Release–Arthroscopic
Carpal Tunnel Release–Arthroscopic
Carpal Tunnel Release-Endoscopic surgery uses a thin, flexible tube with a camera attached (endoscope). The endoscope is guided through a small incision in the wrist (single-portal technique) or at the wrist and palm (two-portal technique). The endoscope lets the doctor see structures in the wrist, such as the transverse carpal ligament, without opening the entire area with a large incision.
Preparation for Carpal Tunnel Release Surgery
Endoscopic Carpal tunnel surgery is usually performed on an outpatient basis, meaning that you go home the day of your surgery. For your particular situation, you will be given specific instructions as to where and when to arrive at the medical facility, how to prepare for your surgery, and what to expect the day of and in the days following your surgery.
- You will be asked not to eat or drink anything for at least eight hours before the carpal tunnel surgery. Additionally, dietary restrictions may be made by your doctor.
- Due to medications often used for this procedure, you will not be able to drive for at least 24 hours afterward.
- Be sure to arrange for someone to drive you home.
FAQS
Frequently asked questions about surgical procedures
Can I use my insurance and get these prices?
Payment is due 14 calendar days prior to your surgery date. If, after the cutoff, your account is not settled, your case must be postponed.
How quickly can I have surgery?
How will I meet my surgeon?
If I had a car or work accident, would you work with my employer or attorney for payment?
What if I get sick right before my surgery?
You could develop a respiratory infection, a urinary tract infection, COVID, or some other condition that may necessitate postponement. There is no penalty when this happens.
What’s Included:
- Facility fee
- Graft and hardware costs (if needed)
- Surgeon and assistant surgeon fees
- Anesthesiologist
- Time in the recovery unit (at no additional charge)
- Initial consultation visit
- One post-operative visit
*Please note: If you choose not to proceed with surgery after the initial consultation, or if you delay your procedure for more than 6 weeks, you will need to update your consultation at a cost of $375.
What’s not included:
- Lab testing before and after the surgery, as needed
- Electrocardiogram (EKG), depending on age. If you had one elsewhere in the past 6 months and it read “normal”, we can forego this expense.
- Imaging costs. X-rays and MRIs can be obtained anywhere.
- Physical therapy services
- Medications you’ll need (oral or IV antibiotic infusions if an infection arises)
- Wound care
- Bracing supplies
- Additional doctor visits (a pre-operative visit with the surgeon, in person, and any required post-op follow-ups after the suture removal to monitor your progress
- Additional surgical intervention if a complication arises
- Additional imaging or hospital care if a blood clot develops
Carpal Tunnel Release- Endoscopic Surgery
The median nerve and the tendons that flex (or curl) your fingers go through a passage called the carpal tunnel in your wrist. This tunnel is narrow, so any swelling can pinch the nerve and cause pain. A thick ligament (tissue) just under your skin (the carpal ligament) makes up the top of this tunnel.
First, you will receive numbing medicine so that you will not feel pain during surgery. You may be awake, but you will also receive medicines to help you relax.
The surgeon will cut through the carpal ligament to make more space for the nerve and tendons. To do this:
- First, a small surgical cut is made in the palm of your hand near your wrist.
- Next, the ligament that covers the carpal tunnel is cut. This eases the pressure on the median nerve. Sometimes, tissue around the nerve is removed as well.
- The skin and tissue underneath your skin are closed with sutures (stitches).
The surgeons do this procedure using a tiny camera that is attached to a monitor. The surgeon inserts the camera into your wrist through a very small surgical cut and views the monitor to see inside your wrist. This is called endoscopic surgery. The instrument used is called an endoscope.
Carpal Tunnel Release- Endoscopic Surgery Recovery
This surgery is done on an outpatient basis. You will not need to stay in the hospital. After the surgery, your wrist will probably be in a splint or heavy bandage for about a week. Keep this on until your first doctor visit after surgery, and keep it clean and dry. After the splint or bandage is removed, you will begin motion exercises or a physical therapy program.
Risks of the Procedure
Risks of Carpal Tunnel Release-Endoscopic are:
- Allergic reactions to medicines
- Bleeding
- Infection
- Injury to the median nerve or nerves that branch off of it
- Weakness and numbness around the hand
- Rarely, injury to another nerve or blood vessel (artery or vein)
- Scar Tenderness
Can I Travel to St George for Surgery?
Yes, and we’ll help you make all your arrangements.
- We have arrangements to try to obtain free flights through a non-profit volunteer pilot organization. We can do this with 10 days’ advance notice in most cases.
- We have discount codes for the Holiday Inn in town. This hotel is 1.5 miles from the surgery center and 2 miles from our clinic.
- We’ll arrange to send your after-surgery medications to your hometown pharmacy for pickup before you leave.
What if I would rather drive to St George?
No problem, we can help with those plans as well. When you have surgery with us, we’ll need to make sure you’re safe and comfortable after surgery. We’ll arrange cold compression therapy that requires an AC/DC adaptor/transformer and frequent stops to stretch and refill the ice reservoir on the road.
We’ll ask about the vehicle you’ll travel in to ensure you have a way to elevate and stretch out in the vehicle on the road while someone else does the driving.
How are follow-up and initial consultations handled?
In-person and telehealth consultations are possible with the surgeon to whom your case is assigned. The initial visit is included in the surgical package and is valued at $375.
We can also obtain the flights from the volunteer pilot nonprofit if you’d like to come for initial and follow-up visits in person. One follow-up visit is included in the surgical package at a value of $175. Any additional visits are charged at the time of service to your credit or debit card.
Transparent Pricing Guide
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