Median Nerve Hydrodissection For Wrist Pain in Charlotte
A median nerve hydrodissection is a non-surgical, non-opioid procedure that treats carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). It uses both saline solution and a numbing agent to treat pain and inflammation caused by a compressed median nerve in the wrist. Though its name sounds complicated, it is a simple medical procedure that strategically injects a medication to relieve peripheral nerve entrapment in the wrist.Â
Entrapment neuropathy of the median nerve in the wrist may affect the function and mobility of the fingers, hand, and arm of a patient. Nerve hydrodissection for carpal tunnel syndrome not only relieves wrist pain but also helps set the compressed nerve free. The saline solution serves as a pressure absorber or cushion between the median nerve and the surrounding muscle, nerve, or other parts of the wrist.
Aside from activities that cause chronic stress and pressure on the median nerve in the wrist, certain health conditions may also put you at risk for carpal tunnel syndrome. These include:
- Diabetes
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Obesity
- Pregnancy
- Hypothyroidism
Nerve hydrodissection is a minor medical procedure that treats other nerve disorders or entrapment neuropathies in the shoulder or elbow. Median nerve hydrodissection focuses on decompressing the nerve in the wrist called the median nerve to relieve pain and inflammation. It is also a procedure that works with other treatments like physical therapy to improve patient mobility.Â
A median nerve hydrodissection is an ultrasound-guided injection done in an outpatient setting. You lie down next to an ultrasound machine as your doctor uses ultrasound guidance to locate the area where your median nerve is compressed. A numbing agent is injected into your skin before placing the saline solution and numbing agent.Â
In some cases, doctors may also inject a steroid medication in the area to help control the wrist pain and inflammation. Sudden and significant pain relief can immediately take effect after the treatment. Your wrist may need to rest after the treatment, but you may return to your normal activities after a day or two.
The overall duration of the median nerve hydrodissection procedure is around 30 to 45 minutes. You may go home on the same day of the treatment. Due to its positive effect on patients, median nerve hydrodissection is often part of a holistic treatment plan for CTS, along with physical therapy.Â
The benefits of nerve hydrodissection for patients suffering from carpal tunnel syndrome are as follows:
- Non-surgical treatment which reduces risks of infectionÂ
- Faster recovery period
- Immediate pain reliefÂ
- Same-day treatment
- Few to no lasting side-effects
- No scarring
- A way to make physical therapy more convenient and less painfulÂ