Is it best to use a splint after your Carpal Tunnel Surgical Release? Today’s guest author Dr. Noel Henley explains why not:
(And please be sure to read the rest of my comments after the end of his article so you never get carpal tunnel symptoms again.)
Splinting After Carpal Tunnel Surgery
Noel Henley MD
Patients may wonder: do I need a splint after my carpal tunnel surgery? Putting patients in splints after surgery for hand and arm problems is common – I recommend splinting for almost all my patients after surgery – but not after carpal tunnel release!
Splinting is
not necessary or recommended after carpal tunnel release (CTR).
Recently, a group of experts reviewed hundreds of research articles on carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) and found that there is no scientific evidence that splinting after surgery is beneficial for patients.
This group of surgeons created a report that has been endorsed by many groups of specialized surgeons who treat carpal tunnel syndrome:
* AANS (American Association of Neurological Surgeons)
* Congress of Neurological Surgeons
* American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
* American Society of Plastic Surgeons
* AANEM (American Association of Neuromuscular & Electrodiagnostic Medicine)
There is no evidence that splinting improves strength, complication rates, or patient satisfaction after CTR surgery.
What’s the big deal with splinting?
A splint is a stiff piece of fiberglass or plaster (or other hard material) placed on the palm side of the hand and wrist after surgery to keep the wrist from moving after surgery.
Splints prevent the wrist (and sometimes the fingers) from moving normally. This may worsen scar tissue formation (adhesions), create stiffness, and prevent tendons from gliding normally.
Sometimes splints are useful to protect repaired tissues, like after a bone has been fixed.
Every patient is different – some may be more uncomfortable than others after surgery and may need a short period of wrist brace (Velcro-style) use after surgery.
Most surgeons who recommend splinting after carpal tunnel release are trying to make sure their patients are comfortable. Unfortunately, this may make the wrist and fingers more stiff after the splint comes off.
C. Noel Henley, MD is an orthopaedic surgeon specializing in hand and arm surgery. He has a passion for educating patients and restoring function of the human body with a wide range of techniques in patients of all ages.
Your health starts with education! Learn more about your hand or arm problem by visiting: Noel Henley MD in Arkansas.
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Kathryn says: I’m glad you’re still reading. You know that I am always giving you natural carpal tunnel pain relief options.
But I know that sometimes people will have surgery for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.
If that happens, then I still want you to have the best possible healing experience. That is why I shared Dr. Henley’s article with you.
And please remember:
If you still have the same issues going on in your body that caused your carpal tunnel symptoms in the first place–if you haven’t used massage therapy to release the muscles around your shoulders, neck and arms and if you haven’t corrected your posture or taken any other natural steps–then your symptoms can come back.
You MUST get rid of the causes of your carpal tunnel symptoms so they don’t come back again.