At Elite Carpal Tunnel, we offer comprehensive carpal tunnel care. From start to finish, we can provide everything you need to get your hands back. You could start with your primary care provider and bounce from waiting room to waiting room to waiting room. But why? At Elite, we make solving carpal tunnel syndrome simpler and get you back to life with the least possible inconvenience.
Utah’s All-Inclusive Carpal Tunnel Surgery Solution
Trust the experts at Elite Carpal Tunnel to improve your quality of life. Reclaim your mobility today and get started with scheduling an appointment!
Comprehensive Evaluation
Your visit to Elite Carpal Tunnel will include a thorough evaluation of your symptoms and concerns. Dr. Peterson will seek to clarify your clinical picture and examine your hands for indications of carpal tunnel syndrome or other problems. Some other problems may not be amenable to treatment through the Elite process. If this type of problem is detected, treatment options for these problems will be discussed, including possible referral to other specialists.
Let us help you get back to doing the things you love!
Your diagnosis can be further clarified by use of electrodiagnostic testing. This testing may include Nerve Conduction Studies (NCS) and Electromyogram (EMG). We often casually refer to both of these studies together as “EMG” or “Nerve Conduction Studies,” though there is a distinction. These tests may help clarify your diagnosis and may also help determine the severity of your carpal tunnel syndrome. Your Elite evaluation will include review of previously administered electrodiagnostic testing or performance of additional electrodiagnostic testing if it has not already been done or if updated data is needed.
We provide a range of non-surgical and surgical treatment options to improve your symptoms and get you back to the speed of life. These treatment options are generally divided into two categories: non-surgical and surgical.
Non-Surgical Care
In the early stages, non-surgical treatments may be effective in improving symptoms.
These treatment options include:
Cortisone (steroid) injection – an injection of a steroid into the carpal tunnel has been shown to improve symptoms in some cases.
Activity modification – in some mild cases, changing the way you use your hands may lessen symptoms.
Nighttime bracing – wearing a wrist brace while sleeping to relieve pressure in the carpal tunnel can diminish symptoms.
Other – a variety of other treatment options can be found utilizing an internet search. Ask a qualified hand-care professional about other treatments.
Despite these treatments, carpal tunnel syndrome often progresses and worsens over time. As a result, a carpal tunnel corrective procedure may be needed.
Surgical Care
When appropriate, a surgical procedure known as carpal tunnel release can be performed to relieve the pressure on the median nerve and thereby relieve the symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome.
This small procedure can now be performed routinely in an office-based setting under local anesthesia. The Elite approach allows this procedure to be performed much like a routine trip to the dentist. You drive yourself to your procedure appointment, have the procedure done in our Elite Carpal Tunnel Procedure Suite, and then drive yourself back home. There is no need for preoperative anesthesia testing, and while you are welcome to bring a companion with you, there is no requirement to do so.
Carpal tunnel release surgery relieves the pressure on the median nerve so the nerve can recover. There are multiple ways to release the carpal tunnel. All of them release (cut) the transverse carpal ligament, a structure that forms the roof of the carpal tunnel. Each approach has pros and cons. Dr. Peterson has broad experience performing various carpal tunnel approaches and will help you determine which approach is best for your circumstances. In most cases, endoscopic carpal tunnel release with its associated advantages is able to be performed.
The results of carpal tunnel surgery are impacted by a number of factors. Perhaps most important is not waiting too long. Some people put off adequate treatment of their carpal tunnel syndrome so long that permanent damage to the nerve occurs. Let Elite Carpal Tunnel give you the information you need and the solution you want to your carpal tunnel symptoms.
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What should I expect after my procedure?
Dr. Peterson and his team will guide you through the recovery process. Typically, this is relatively simple and straight forward. One of the best tools to help you navigate this experience is knowledge about what to expect. At Elite, we go above and beyond to help you know what to expect and to feel confident you are on the right course. After your procedure, we will see you for post-op support and guidance. Fortunately, in most cases the recovery is relatively quick with no need for therapy.
After your carpal tunnel procedure you should expect:
- Mild to moderate pain that can be controlled with ice, elevation, and over the counter medications, such as ibuprofen and minimal narcotic pain medications in the first day or two.
- Mild swelling and bruising that can be minimized by ice and elevation.
- A light dressing to be worn for the first few days, followed by a Band-Aid over the incision.
- To use your hand for light daily activities such as typing, writing, eating, getting dressed, and using a computer immediately after your procedure. These activities may be associated with some degree of discomfort but will improve with time.
- To begin doing moderate demand activities as tolerated over the first two weeks after your procedure. Again, these may be increased as tolerated.
- To pursue any desired activities after two weeks with the understanding that heavy or high impact activities will cause pain for a period of time and should be resumed gradually.
- Varying degrees of pain with use of the hand post-procedure. Some people have minimal pain while others have more pain. While this may be frustrating for those who experience more pain, this is quite normal.
- Even those with more pain can be assured that this pain will diminish and eventually resolve completely. This may take weeks or months but should not keep you from pursuing most desired activities.