carpal tunnel release surgery, ligament grown back?
I had carpal tunnel release surgery done 1 1/2 years ago and the surgeon cut my medican nerve 80%, he then performed a nerve repair and following the required amount of time for rejuventation of the nerve, I still had no feeling in my thumb and index finger so I looked to another surgeon in a bigger well known hospital. He suggested another surgery to take a look and if necessary do a nerve graft. Once he did the surgery he stated that the carpal transverse ligament was "markedly intact" and made the proper release to find that 3 out of the 5 fascilles were not attached. I am just wondering how this is possible, what are the chances of the ligament growing back? Any insight into this would be greatly appreciated. Thanks
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I'm sorry to hear that your nerve was damaged during surgery. What type of surgery did you have?
On 1/3/08 I had the KMI mini carpal tunnel release surgery (www.visitkmi.com/patients/carpal_tunnel/safeguard.html). This method was recommended because of safety to the median nerve and surrounding soft tissue during surgery.
My surgeon told me that he wants the ligament to eventually bridge itself back together. He said it would not be good if that didn't happen. The idea is that the ligament would be longer after bridging, and therefore, lessen the previous pressure on the median nerve.
Surprisingly, this concept is the opposite of a discussion I previously had with a "qualified medical examiner" recommended by the insurance company. This QME said he would take out a notch in the ligament to insure that it didn't grow back together! This comment disturbed me and kept me from getting the surgery for a year.
Well, it's been 5 days since I had the surgery. I can type, but I can't apply any pressure or hold anything that has any weight to it. For example, I can't blow-dry my hair, slice butter, or pick up a cup of coffee. I do six different exercises during the day and the pain during these exercises has decreased a tiny bit each day.
It is expected that the Transverse Carpal Ligament will eventually grow back together. This is why some people end up having to have a repeat surgery if they do not change their habits.
This ligament is the only structure protecting your nerve and various tendons and vessels that reside under it. I would guess that taking out a piece of the ligament and not allowing it to fully close would put the patient at risk for damaging the area underneath it. It would also think that the piece that was taken out would have to be relatively large, since your body does a miraculous job at repairing itself.
It is not uncommon to still have pain with the activities you stated about after 5 days of surgery. Expect pain with those activities for at least 2 weeks after the surgery. For the first 2-3 weeks, use pain as a guide. If it hurts, don't do it.
Joined: 2007-10-09