Sufferers of a common, painful wrist condition that takes years to heal could receive a pioneering new procedure that eradicates the pain in minutes.
More than 340,000 people in the UK suffer from carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), an uncomfortable hand injury that occurs when a ligament above the narrow canal in the wrist, known as the carpal tunnel, swells and compresses the nerve. major.
The condition can cause debilitating symptoms including pain, tingling, weakness, difficulty gripping, and numbness.
Previously, the only way to cure severe cases involved months of steroid injections and, if that was unsuccessful, an operation to open the wrist and cut the ligament to relieve pressure on the nerve.
Now doctors in Scotland have become the first in the UK to carry out a new procedure that takes just 15 minutes, has no incision and allows patients to return to work the next day.
More than 340,000 people in the UK suffer from carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), an uncomfortable condition of the wrist (file photo)
The technique, ultrasound-guided carpal tunnel surgery, is widely used in Europe and experts say it is likely to be rolled out across the NHS within the next two years. “Patients benefit from reduced pain levels and recover more quickly than those who undergo conventional surgery,” says Dr Sally-Anne Phillips, consultant hand and wrist surgeon at La Belle Forme Private Healthcare Centre. from Glasgow.
“We believe this could be adopted as a standard procedure within the NHS given its efficiency in both time and cost.”
CTS is usually caused by repetitive hand movements, extending or flexing the wrist for long periods of time, or conditions that cause joint inflammation, such as rheumatoid arthritis. Certain factors increase the risk of CTS, including pregnancy, obesity, diabetes, a history of wrist injuries, and jobs that require repetitive wrist movements or a strong grip.
Cases have also increased due to excessive use of laptops and mobile phones. The symptoms can be severe enough to cause sufferers to lose sleep, as well as making it difficult for them to work and even carry out basic daily tasks. In extreme cases, the muscles in the hand and wrist can even waste away due to insufficient use, and without treatment, CTS can lead to irreversible nerve damage and loss of hand function.
Currently, the surgery offered on the NHS involves an invasive operation to open the wrist and cut the carpal tunnel ligament.
Cutting the ligament does not affect the mobility of the hand. Patients rarely experience pain and can fully use their hand while it heals. Research shows that in most cases, CTS does not return even after the ligament has completely grown back. However, since the procedure involves cutting through layers of fat and muscle to reach the ligament, patients are left with a deep skin wound that can take months to heal.
But the new operation is guided by an ultrasound placed on the wrist. This allows the surgeon to see the inside of the wrist and avoids the need to open it.
An incision is made at the base of the wrist and a small needle is passed down to reach the carpal tunnel ligament at the point where it is pressing on the nerve. The needle is then used to cut the ligament, free the nerve, and then remove it. Ultrasound ensures that the surgeon does not accidentally damage surrounding nerves and blood vessels.
The procedure is performed under local anesthesia and patients can leave the clinic the same day.
Cases of this condition have also increased due to excessive use of mobile phones and laptops (file photo)
The only sign of the operation is some bruising and a small scar, which according to experts usually disappears.
Catherine Nolan, 44, discovered the new treatment after exhausting all other options. The Edinburgh-based painter and decorator first noticed pain in both wrists 18 months ago.
He was diagnosed with CTS and put in a splint to support his wrist. But the pain worsened, leaving her struggling with simple tasks like removing a bottle cap. He received steroid injections, but these only provided temporary relief.
“It got so bad that I had to take off work for two months; I felt like I was losing control of my hands,” he says.
Catherine read about the ultrasound-guided procedure and signed up for the operation. It was done with both hands.
“I didn’t feel any discomfort and it lasted about an hour and a half,” he says. ‘The next day, I took off the bandages and could do basic things like make a cup of tea.
‘I went back to work two days later with a little discomfort, but nothing worse than a bruise. After a week or two I felt better and everything has been going smoothly since then.
“This operation has completely changed my life.”
