Why does ECTR cause so much less discomfort and appeal so much more to patients?
With endoscopic carpal tunnel relief only the tight transverse carpal ligament that compresses the median nerve is released. The two tiny incisions are each only 3/8" and are displaced away from the wrist itself. The subcutaneus (layer just below the surface) nerve fibers are thus not injured. There is less injury to heal and less visible bruising and local discomfort with less effect n grip and pinch strength. This yields an absolute and psychologically superior, immediate outcome. Also after 6 months it's nearly impossible to detect a scar compared to the obvious scar from an open filet-of-wrist carpal tunnel release.
How can a laser assist the surgeon and does it actually benefit me or is laser just a gimmick?
Good question. Laser is just a hot knife preventing any local bleeding when it comes to surgery. The units avail for us are a bit cumbersome a their use requires a lot of extra expense. I was part of a Hand Surgeon's focus group on this issue. The consensus is that little would be gained. The only case of laser use for ECTR that I am aware of resulted in a severe complication-see Bibliography
I'm the breadwinner and I work using both of my hands all day long. I have CTS in both hands. How much time will I be "laid up" after endoscopic carpal tunnel release?
since 1992 I have set the return to work record internationally to which other surgeons aspire . Initially it took a week to get the most stubborn patients to use their hands fully. Then I started getting people back to work the monday following a friday surgery. In 2006 I pioneered return to work without even clocking out for office workers! In 2007 I extended this to some factory workers with a progressive safety manager at Tenneco. Most of my patients are able to return to at least modified duties the day of or after surgery progresssing to unrestricted activity within one to two weeks. The only absolute restriction relates to the need to keep the incisions clean to prevent infection. Carefully crafted protocol using select medication and special exercise without formal physical therapy or braces has proven very successful. As can be seen in the section on "Best Solution" the best hand specialists have been able to do elsewhere is about 2 weeks time off. So you see, there is no good reason to procrastinate.
I Golf almost every day weather permitting, what effect will Endoscopic Carpal Tunnel Release have on my ability to play?
First you will probably will no longer fear your driver or irons flying out of your hands. Second you will probably be able to resume golf the next day.