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June 6, 2022 – People who have carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) are too familiar with numbness, pain and weakness in their hands. In the past, people would avoid getting surgery because patients often saw the typical six-week recovery period as a less attractive option. Thankfully, Broward Health Imperial Point is now offering a new, minimally invasive surgical technique for CTS that may immediately relieve pain and often allows patients to return to work in 48 hours.

Jorge Gonzalez, M.D

The first and only South Florida physician trained in the streamlined procedure is Jorge Gonzalez, M.D., a sports medicine physician.

What is CT’s?

Dr. Gonzalez explained CTS is a compression of the median nerve that travels from the forearm through the carpal tunnel to the wrist, palm and fingers.

“When that tunnel becomes too tight, the nerve gets compressed and irritated, causing numbness, tingling and pain — especially in the thumb and index and middle fingers,”

he said. “In severe cases, that nerve starts to die, and patients experience weakness. They start to drop things and have little strength in their fingers.”

Exercise enthusiast and retired teacher Amy Wendt experienced CTS in both wrists. It came on gradually with numbness and a pins-and-needles sensation, worsening to searing knifelike pain. “It kept me awake all night,” she recalled.

Amy Wendt

Hearing of the new procedure, Wendt did an online search that led her to Dr. Gonzalez. “He injected my wrists with steroids to see whether that would provide relief. It did temporarily but when pain returned, he recommended surgery,” Wendt said.

Traditional Vs. Minimally Invasive

During CTS surgery, Dr. Gonzalez cuts a ligament that forms the tunnel’s roof.

“This gives breathing room to the structures within, especially the nerve,” he said. “Traditionally we would cut open the palm, access the tunnel, then suture the incision. The incision alone could take four to six weeks to return to normal. Now, because of ultrasound guidance, we can do essentially the same surgery. However, instead of cutting the skin, we do it from underneath the wrist, without making a big cut. The 3- to 4-millimeter incision often heals within two days; patients can return to normal functionality much faster.”

Wendt underwent the procedure under local anesthesia. “Surgery took 10 minutes; I didn’t feel a thing,” she said. “My pain was gone immediately. There were no stitches; I left with tape over the tiny incision, wore an elastic bandage for 24 hours and was playing tennis in two weeks. Four months later, I’m doing full planks. It’s as if this never happened.”

Make an Appointment

If you’d like to schedule an appointment to see whether this surgery is right for you, call 954.759.7500 or visit BrowardHealth.org/Scheduling.