Thumb CMC Arthroplasty and Carpal Tunnel Release Surgery in Kansas

CMC (carpometacarpal) Arthroplasty and carpal tunnel release are two minimally invasive surgical procedures aimed at alleviating pain and improving function in the hand and wrist.

CMC Arthroplasty is primarily used to treat CMC joint arthritis, which affects the base of the thumb. This arthritis can cause pain during thumb movement, as the joint connects the thumb bones to the trapezium bone in the wrist. In CMC Arthroplasty, the surgeon removes the trapezium bone and replaces it with an implant, offering relief while maintaining thumb functionality. This procedure is often chosen over a trapeziectomy, where the bone is removed but not replaced.

Carpal tunnel release, on the other hand, focuses on relieving pressure on the median nerve, which runs through the carpal tunnel in the wrist. In this procedure, the surgeon makes small incisions to cut the carpal ligament, creating more space in the tunnel and reducing pressure on the nerve. This helps alleviate symptoms such as pain, numbness, and weakness in the hand.

Both procedures aim to restore hand function and alleviate discomfort caused by different conditions in the wrist and thumb.