Slightly OT: transverse carpal ligament?

[PixlPushr]

My wife just had carpal tunnel surgery Friday, and I’m curious about something..

From what I understand, they cut this transverse carpal ligament to release pressure..

Now, doesn’t that ligament do something?? Don’t ya need it?

[CF-OC_gal]

Just be glad you live in modern times. The old way of dealing with CTS was amputation.

Here's a link: http://my.webmd.com/hw/carpal_tunnel/hw213456.asp

[drdjsmm]

The transverse carpal ligament holds the bones of your wrist together laterally (left to right). This releases pressure because the bones aren't pushed together as tightly, decreasing pressure on the nerve. This is a quick fix as the transverse carpal ligament is not the cause of the increased pressure. The increased pressure is usually due to abnormal wrist movement causing inflammation, eventually damage to the area around the nerve and very small amounts of scar tissue. These three things add up and restrict the nerve with pressure, and the surgery is like opening the door and letting things out. But it doesn't change the cause and increased scar tissue usually forms, leading to later surgeries. (just wish more people would try less invasive forms of care first and if they don't work, then surgery is the best option)

[PixlPushr]

The Doctor said that her carpal tunnel was a result of her pregnancy..

One hand got better after the baby was born, the other didn’t..

[.V.]

When my wife had her carpal tunnel surgery, after the 2nd baby, the surgeon actually went in and not only cut the ligament, he cleaned out the scar tissue that was compressing the nerve. She said it was pretty cool to watch. Since she refused to be intubated, they did the surgery with enough versed so that she didn't care what was happening, but not enough to put her out. They used plenty of local anesthetic too. The surgery was pretty successful - she now has use of both hands, not much sensation, but they both work. Before the surgery, she couldn't even use them at all.