Anatomy of the Hand & Wrist

The hand is composed of many small bones called carpals, metacarpals and phalanges. The two bones of the lower arm - the radius and the ulna - meet at the hand to form the wrist.

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Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

The Median and Ulnar nerves are the major nerves of the hand, running the length of the arm to transmit electrical impulses to and from the brain to create movement and sensation. One common disorder of the hand is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) is a condition brought on by the compression of the median nerve by the transverse carpal ligament. This usually results in symptoms of numbness, tingling, and pain in the arm, hand, and fingers.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome can be corrected surgically by simply releasing the transverse carpal ligament to decompress the pinched nerve. This carpal tunnel release can usually be performed endoscopically. A cannula is inserted into the hand, just under the offending ligament. The surgeon looks through a scope and uses a small knife to simply cut the ligament, thus freeing the nerve.
Endoscopic View