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February 19, 2025
6 Signs It’s Time to Have Carpal Tunnel Surgery
If you find yourself shaking out your hand more often to relieve numbness, it could be a sign of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS).
This condition happens when swelling in the carpal tunnel compresses the median nerve, causing numbness, discomfort, and even weakness. While it often starts mild, it can get worse over time. So, how do you know when it’s time to take action?
The hand experts at The Maine Hand Center at Plastic + Hand Surgical Associates in Portland, Maine, are here to help. Here are six signs it may be time to consider surgery—and how to take the next step.
1. Nighttime pain is now daytime pain.
Carpal tunnel syndrome often starts with tingling or numbness at night, making it tough to sleep. But, this discomfort can soon show up during the day and interfere with your normal routine. At first, the symptoms might come and go, but they usually get worse over time.
2. Numbness and tingling won’t go away.
When the median nerve gets pinched or compressed, it can cause numbness and tingling in your thumb, index, and middle fingers. Persistent numbness isn’t just uncomfortable—it can also start getting in the way of your daily activities and tasks.
3. Persistent hand pain.
Carpal tunnel syndrome pain is different from surface-level pain, like a cut or scrape. Instead, it often feels deeper, inside your hand or wrist. It can range from a sharp, burning stab to a dull, constant ache. Many people also notice their grip feels weaker than usual, making everyday tasks more challenging.
4. Weakness in your thumb.
Carpal tunnel syndrome often causes muscle weakness in the thumb, making it harder to grip objects. This loss of dexterity can make even the simplest tasks more frustrating and challenging.
5. Non-surgical treatments aren’t working.
While some patients try to avoid surgery (i.e., relying on self-instructed splinting), chronic carpal tunnel can cause permanent nerve damage if you let it go long enough, which is not fixable. Carpal tunnel release surgery might be the next step for lasting relief.
6. Carpal tunnel syndrome disrupts your life.
When pain, numbness, or weakness starts interfering with your work, sleep, or daily activities, it’s time to consult a hand surgeon.
While splinting may offer temporary relief, it’s not a long-term solution. If you have long-term nerve compression, you can risk the nerve dying, resulting in permanent numbness, pain, and weakness. The longer carpal tunnel syndrome goes untreated, the higher the risk of irreversible nerve damage. Don’t wait—acting now can protect your quality of life.
Treatment begins with a diagnosis.
We start this process by listening at The Maine Hand Center at Plastic + Hand. We ask patients about their symptoms and what is bothering them in their hands.
While some patients assume that they have carpal tunnel syndrome, they may potentially have other hand ailments like osteoarthritis or tendonitis, making the physical exam essential for proper carpal tunnel syndrome diagnosis. This exam is often paired with imaging tests (i.e., X-rays) or nerve tests (i.e., Electromyography (EMG) or Nerve Conduction Study (NCS) to determine the appropriate treatment.
Get back to life quickly with endoscopic carpal tunnel release.
Carpal tunnel syndrome is best treated before nerve damage becomes permanent. For most people, the solution is carpal tunnel release surgery —either open or endoscopic.
Today, most patients choose minimally invasive arthroscopic/endoscopic carpal tunnel release, and Plastic + Hand is Maine’s most trusted practice for this advanced procedure.
The procedure takes just 8–10 minutes and is virtually pain-free. You’ll leave with two stitches, a small band-aid on the surgical site, and the ability to use your hand right away. With no specific restrictions, most patients return to normal activities within a week or two.
Do you need our help?
If you’re considering hand surgery, specifically carpal tunnel release surgery, our Plastic + Hand team has the most qualified hand surgeons in Maine. Not only have we successfully completed the most reconstructive procedures in the region, but our team is also the only plastic surgery team trusted by Maine Medical Center, Mercy Hospital, and Southern Maine Medical Center.
Plastic + Hand surgeons offer a comprehensive range of advanced procedures and treatments to address various hand conditions. Hand surgery procedures treat traumatic and post-injury problems, carpal tunnel, osteoarthritis, tendonitis, ganglion cysts, and congenital abnormalities.
In many cases, surgery is just the start of recovery, and intensive rehabilitation may be necessary to increase hand strength and function. That’s why Plastic + Hand includes occupational therapists as important members of our team to provide treatment for patients with hand injuries.
Please have your doctor reach out to us to start the process today. They can fax your referral to our office at 207-879-1646 or call us at 207-775-3446 with questions.
