The short answer is: Yes!

Before we explain, it is important to understand that if you have questions about your surgery, your incision, or any concerns about redness, swelling, pain, etc., it is very important to consult the surgeon who performed your procedure. While redness can be a normal response of the human body to a procedure, including carpal tunnel release for carpal tunnel syndrome, it could also represent the signs or symptoms of an infection.

When a surgeon, such as Dr. Johnny T. Nelson, MD, performs a carpal tunnel release procedure, it is necessary to make a small opening in the skin. This opening, called and “incision,” allows the hand specialist to introduce a special device into the carpal tunnel. This allows the carpal tunnel to be released from the “inside out.”

It is important to understand that when a cut or injury happens by accident, the human body responds right away. This response ensures that bacteria and bugs from the outside world do not find their way inside the body and cause an infection. The signs of this response include warmth, redness, and swelling.

But the human body cannot tell the difference between an accidental cut and a surgical incision.

Because the human body sees the surgical incision the same as an accidental cut, it is normal to see some of the same signs. These include warmth, redness, and swelling. This is often called the “inflammatory” steps of healing. Your hand specialist, Dr. Johnny T. Nelson, MD, will counsel you on what to expect after your ultrasound-guided carpal tunnel release procedure.

And most importantly, if you undergo a carpal tunnel release procedure, Dr. Nelson will follow you closely to make sure that you are healing well.

If you have carpal tunnel or are considering having a release procedure, make sure you call 919–872–5296 today to schedule a visit with Dr. Johnny T. Nelson, MD, North Carolina carpal tunnel expert!