Carpal Tunnel Release (CTR) — Open
A surgical procedure in which the ligament compressing the median nerve in the wrist is released through a small palm incision — providing reliable, lasting relief from carpal tunnel syndrome.
What is Carpal Tunnel Release (CTR) — Open?
Open Carpal Tunnel Release (CTR) is a surgical procedure performed to treat carpal tunnel syndrome — a condition in which the median nerve becomes compressed as it passes through the narrow carpal tunnel in the wrist. This compression causes pain, numbness, tingling, and weakness in the hand and fingers, often worsening at night or during repetitive hand activities. Carpal tunnel syndrome commonly develops due to repetitive hand movements, wrist strain, fluid retention, pregnancy, diabetes, or inflammatory conditions. When symptoms persist despite splints, medication, or physiotherapy, surgical release is recommended. Open CTR divides the transverse carpal ligament through a small palm incision, directly decompressing the median nerve and providing reliable, long-lasting symptom relief.
How the Procedure Works
Pre-operative Nerve Conduction Assessment
Nerve conduction studies confirm the diagnosis and grade the severity of median nerve compression; local or regional anaesthesia is administered on the day of surgery.
Surgical Access
A small incision is made in the palm near the wrist to access the carpal tunnel; the surgeon carefully exposes the transverse carpal ligament.
Ligament Release
The transverse carpal ligament is precisely divided under direct visualisation, immediately increasing the space within the carpal tunnel and relieving pressure on the median nerve.
Nerve Inspection
The surgeon examines the median nerve and surrounding structures to confirm the nerve is fully decompressed and free of any residual compression.
Final Assessment
The surgical site is checked to confirm adequate nerve space and the absence of any remaining compression before wound closure.
Wound Closure & Dressing
The incision is closed with sutures and covered with a sterile dressing; the hand may be supported with a bandage during early recovery.
Outcomes
Who Needs This Treatment?
- →Direct visualisation ensures complete and precise ligament release
- →Reliable, long-lasting relief from numbness, tingling, and hand weakness
- →Reduces night-time hand discomfort that disturbs sleep
- →Day-care procedure — no overnight hospital admission required
- →Well-established surgical technique with consistently excellent outcomes
- →Hand function and grip strength progressively restore during recovery
“Open carpal tunnel release is one of the most reliable and well-proven procedures in hand surgery. By directly dividing the compressing ligament under full visualisation, we achieve complete nerve decompression and lasting relief — giving patients back comfortable, functional use of their hand.”
— Dr. Satish Reddy Gandavarapu, Senior Orthopaedic & Trauma Surgeon, Lux Hospitals, Hyderabad
Common Questions
Frequently Asked
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