What Are the Risks of Carpal Tunnel Release?

Carpal tunnel, Hand Surgeon, Sonex, Ultrasound

What Are the Risks of Carpal Tunnel Release?

If you have carpal tunnel syndrome or any other medical problem, you may be thinking about a surgical procedure. With modern technology, surgical procedures to treat serious medical problems are improving every year. Scientific studies, new techniques and devices, better understanding of medical problems all help to improve the surgical care provided.

But you may still feel nervous about having surgery!

This is very normal. Most patients who have a surgical procedure report feeling nervous at some stage of the planning process. This is why it is very important to see a well-trained specialist about the problem that you are having.

If your problem is carpal tunnel syndrome, North Carolina Carpal Tunnel Specialist Dr. Johnny T. Nelson, MD is the well-trained specialist for you!

Dr. Nelson takes pride in spending time with every patient, making the best decision for them based on their plans, needs, and special situations. He also takes pride in listening closely to questions and concerns, especially when surgery is being considered. When a carpal tunnel release is considered, Dr. Nelson discusses the risk of surgery with every patient.

It is helpful to think about surgery likely think about driving a car. Every time we get into a car or leave our house, we are taking a risk. It is always possible that something bad can happen. The risk is very, very small, but the risk does exist!

Carpal tunnel release with ultrasound guidance helps to make sure that the risk is as small as possible!

Because there is no anesthesia, the risk of anesthesia is much lower. Anytime there is an incision, there is a risk for infection. But the smaller the incision, the smaller the risk for infection. The 5 mm poke incision used for ultrasound-guided carpal tunnel release is extremely small. When surgery is performed, there is always a risk of damage to other structures, such as tendons, nerves, or blood vessels. Because carpal tunnel release performed by Dr. Nelson is done under ultrasound guidance, he can see all of the structures all at once, and keep them all safe.

If you have carpal tunnel syndrome and are ready to get rid of your symptoms for good, call 919-872-5296 today to schedule a visit with Dr. Johnny T. Nelson, MD, Raleigh, North Carolina, shoulder and carpal tunnel specialist!

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Can I Have Carpal Tunnel Release On Both Sides At Once?

Carpal tunnel, Hand Surgeon, Sonex, Ultrasound

Can I Have Carpal Tunnel Release On Both Sides At Once?

Unfortunately, carpal tunnel syndrome is very common. One out of every 20 adult Americans has this condition, which can interfere with sleep, work, and free-time activities. Worse still, many have severe problems in both hands.

Sometimes simple treatments for carpal tunnel can help to quiet down the symptoms, especially if the symptoms came on recently. These include oral anti-inflammatories such as steroids or NSAIDs, wearing a wrist splint at night, avoiding activities that make the symptoms worse, and even injections performed by a hand surgeon such as Dr. Nelson.

But what do I do when carpal tunnel on both sides does not get better?

Carpal tunnel release is the time-tested treatment for carpal tunnel syndrome. It reliably and quickly relieves the numbness, tingling, and especially night pain and gripping pain due to carpal tunnel syndrome. And in most patients, it does this permanently!

However, patients with carpal tunnel on both sides, also known as “bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome,” worry about having surgery on both hands at the same time. Some are concerned that they will not be able to take care of themselves. For example, they are worried that dressing, going to the bathroom, picking up a small child will become too difficult. Simply put, they feel they need to have one “good hand” to help out while the operated hand heals.

But with new technology and a technique offered by North Carolina Carpal Tunnel Specialist Dr. Johnny T. Nelson, MD, this is no longer the case.

For many years, carpal tunnel release was done with an open incision in the palm. While this treats and cures the symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome, the incision in the palm can be painful, especially in the early days after surgery. This can require a prolonged healing time, where heavy or even simple, light activities around the house can be difficult.

However, Dr. Johnny T. Nelson is an expert in the treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome under ultrasound guidance!

Due to the extremely small “poke” incision on the wrist, without an incision on the palm, the same release and relief of symptoms can be done “inside-out” while shortening the period of healing pain after the surgery. With ultrasound-guided carpal tunnel release, most patients with carpal tunnel on both sides have it treated on the same day. With ultrasound-guided carpal tunnel release, you may return to all activities immediately, including cooking, hygiene, dressing, and even work, including heavy or repetitive labor.

Since 2022, 50% of patients treated by Dr. Johnny T. Nelson, MD have both carpal tunnels released at the same time!

If you have carpal tunnel on both sides and you are ready to be free of your symptoms, ultrasound-guided carpal tunnel release on the same day for both hands is often the best option for you. But remember, every patient is different! Your treatment plan depends on a one-on-one consultation with Dr. Johnny T. Nelson MD, North Carolina Carpal Tunnel Specialist. Call 919-872-5296 for an appointment.

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Will My Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Come Back After I Have A Carpal Tunnel Release?

Carpal tunnel, Hand Surgeon, Sonex, Ultrasound

Will My Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Come Back After I Have A Carpal Tunnel Release?

This is a question that North Carolina carpal tunnel expert Dr. Johnny T. Nelson, MD hears a lot.

Understandably, patients want to know if a treatment for carpal tunnel syndrome will be permanent or only temporary. Carpal tunnel syndrome can cause severe problems with work, sleep, and home life, so patients do not want it to return.

For 99% of patients, the answer is NO, your carpal tunnel syndrome will not come back!

This is very good news. Carpal tunnel release, especially carpal tunnel release with ultrasound guidance, has a very high rate of permanent cure and patient satisfaction. This satisfaction lasts a long time, usually lifelong, according to studies.

However, it is important to understand that there are rare situations where carpal tunnel syndrome or similar nerve problems can return. For example, those with diabetes, thyroid problems, or a history of extensive surgery or scarring may be at risk of repeat nerve problems in the future.

If you schedule a visit with Dr. Johnny T. Nelson, MD, he will likely ask you about medical problems that may place you at risk for nerve problems in the future. He will also perform an exam of your hand and wrist to see if you have other problems that may cause the carpal tunnel syndrome to come back.

Dr. Nelson will also tell you if your carpal tunnel syndrome and nerve problems are very bad. If the nerve problems are very bad, sometimes the problems can be permanent, even if treated by a highly trained specialist.

If you have carpal tunnel syndrome and are growing tired of the numbness, tingling, and waking up at night, call 919-872-5296 today to schedule a visit with Dr. Johnny T. Nelson, MD.

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How Much Pain Will I Have after Shoulder Surgery?

Rotator Cuff, Shoulder, Shoulder Pain, Shoulder Surgeon, Shoulder Surgery, Sports Injuries

How Much Pain Will I Have after Shoulder Surgery?

If you are like most Americans, you have a very high risk of having shoulder pain at some time in your life.

If you have a rotator cuff tear, shoulder instability, or labral tear, you may even be considering shoulder surgery. You probably know someone with a history of shoulder surgery. It is possible that they told you about their experience, what was performed during the surgery, the healing after the surgery, the rehabilitation process, or how they are feeling now.

Or perhaps they told you how painful it was!

If they did, and you are feeling nervous about having shoulder surgery or a shoulder operation, consider a visit with Dr. Johnny T. Nelson, MD, a Raleigh, North Carolina, shoulder specialist.

Dr. Nelson specializes in shoulder surgery. This means that he has special training and shoulder surgery and performs more shoulder procedures than most orthopedic surgeons. It also means that he devoted special time to improving the care of patients who have shoulder pain and shoulder problems. And one very important aspect of this care is making his patients more comfortable!

If you speak with one of Dr. Nelson’s patients or watch some of his online video testimonials, you will notice that patients mention how little pain they have after the operation. In addition to modern nerve blocks, Dr. Nelson recommends a special regimen of oral medicines before and after shoulder surgery that have been proven to reduce pain levels.

Many patients do not even need any pain medication at all!

For example, one patient had 3 prior operations on both shoulders, and reports that his fourth operation, the only operation performed by Dr. Nelson, was nearly painless compared to the others.

If you have shoulder pain or are considering shoulder surgery, call 919-872-5296 today to schedule your visit with Dr. Johnny T. Nelson, MD, Raleigh North Carolina shoulder specialis

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What Doctors Wish Patients Knew About Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Carpal tunnel, Hand Surgeon, news, Sonex, Ultrasound

In October 2023, the American Medical Association published a very interesting article entitled, “What Doctors Wish Patients Knew About Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.”

Find the full article HERE.

This article gives useful points of information about carpal tunnel syndrome. As an orthopaedic shoulder and hand specialist, Dr. Johnny T. Nelson MD is very dedicated to patient education and awareness.

The key points of the article include:
1. Numbness is a more important symptom than pain
2. It is worse at night
3. It is more common in women
4. Other health conditions play a role (thyroid, diabetes)
5. Pregnancy can bring on the symptoms
6. Do not blame the keyboard
7. Carpal tunnel syndrome is not hereditary
8. Physical exam helps the diagnosis
9. Sometimes cortisone shots help
10. Try wearing a brace at night
11. Take frequent rest breaks
12. Practice good wrist posture
13. Know when it is time for surgery
14. Some may need further surgery
15. Carpal tunnel syndrome in both hands is concerning
16. Do not wait to get diagnosed!

While some of these points require further explanation and may not apply to every person, they are helpful to help guide patients and inform them about carpal tunnel syndrome.

Dr. Johnny T. Nelson, MD is the North Carolina carpal tunnel doctor! If you or anyone you know or love is experiencing symptoms you think might be carpal tunnel syndrome, do not hesitate to call 919-872-5296 to make a visit with Dr. Nelson. A visit with him does not necessarily mean surgery. However if surgery is necessary, he offers minimally invasive techniques such as carpal tunnel release with real-time ultrasound guidance that are not available anywhere else in the region.

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