Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Minimally invasive – Endoscopic
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Minimally invasive – Endoscopic
CARPAL TUNNEL SYNDROME
CAUSES – PREVENTION – TREATMENT
CARPAL TUNNEL-
SYNDROME
CAUSES – PREVENTION – TREATMENT
CARPAL TUNNEL SYNDROME
CAUSES – PREVENTION – TREATMENT
Welcome!
Welcome to your one-stop destination for all things related to carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). As a dedicated expert in minimally invasive endoscopic surgery for CTS, I have been offering this state-of-the-art procedure to patients since 2015.
Discover the numerous benefits of an endoscopic carpal tunnel release (ECTR) procedure and learn how it can transform your life:
We also offer this treatment as a conventional open carpal tunnel release procedure.
Dr George C. Bézard
Senior Consultant for Orthopaedics and Traumatology
Senior Consultant for Trauma Surgery
Carpal tunnel endoscopy marries two of my passions: traditional hand surgery and arthroscopy. I’ve honed my skills and streamlined my approach to specialize in this innovative surgery.
Arztpraxis Döbling
Döblinger Hauptstraße 16, 1190 Wien
Clinic Tulln/Donau
Hauptplatz 29 / Eingang Donaugasse 2, Top 3, 3430 Tulln
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome –
What is it?
What is it?
Carpal tunnel syndrome is the most common nerve compression syndrome. It involves the narrowing of the hand’s median nerve (Nervus medianus), located in the wrist. Causes are usually unclear.
In the wrist, this nerve runs through a narrow canal, the “carpal tunnel”, alongside the tendons of the hand flexors. When this canal narrows, this puts pressure on the nerves, causing pain and discomfort.
Long-term nerve constriction can lead to weakness in the hand muscles, numbness and reduced functionality, particularly in the thumb.
Symptoms
Typical symptoms of CTS are sensory disorder in the regions of the thumb, index finger, middle finger and the thumb-facing half of the ring finger. Numbness mainly occurs during hand-intensive activities, such as driving a car or motorcycle, or playing tennis, but also during simple activities such as making phone calls or reading. Pain at night is also common in these 3½ fingers. An attendant symptom is the ‘trigger finger’, which can also be treated alongside CTS.
Causes of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
The exact causes of carpal tunnel syndrome are currently unknown. Women are up to 3 times more likely to be affected than men, while CTS is extremely rare in children. A variety of factors can contribute to the development of CTS.
These include:
Heavy manual labour, pregnancy, kidney damage, wrist fractures, diabetes, frequent tendonitis, chronic polyarthritis, hypothyroidism, infections in the hand region, post-operative complications, alcohol abuse, and scleroderma.
CARPAL TUNNEL SYNDROME FAQs
A team of French researchers found that CTS not only occurred in occupations related to agriculture and construction, but also in the chemical industry, metalworking and transport. Any repetitive or physically demanding work is particularly predisposed to CTS. Overall, CTS has been found in all occupational groups – except clergy.
The operation can be performed using:
- Procedural anaesthesia
- Plexus anaesthesia of the arm
- Local anaesthesia (Wide Awake Surgery)
In the case of plexus anaesthesia, the entire arm is numbed with a local anaesthetic applied at the shoulder. Under local anaesthetic, only the wrist is numbed.
The endoscopic carpal tunnel release (ECTR) procedure requires a special endoscope that can only be used in an operating room (OR). The open technique can also be carried out in an OR in a practice, but we still carry out all our operations in a real OR. In a fully equipped OR, the sterile conditions ensure that the procedure is hygienic and safe, in comparison to a smaller OR in a practice. The cost to the patient remains the same.
The most important assessment is the measurement of nerve conduction velocity. If you have already had one, please bring the results to the initial consultation. If you haven’t, do contact me and I’ll organise a nerve conduction measurement for you.
A surgery isn’t possible without this nerve conduction velocity measurement, as it is the gold standard and therefore vital. In certain cases, an ultrasound can be helpful, but this alone is not enough for me to carry out the procedure.
The wait time to have an operation is usually just a few days.
An overnight stay in the hospital is not necessary, but possible on request. The operation can be performed at a day clinic.
You will probably be able to drive a car after the operation, but legally, it’s not advised. In terms of insurance, this can also pose a problem if you have an accident following a recent operation.
You’ll be able to carry out light everyday activities directly following the endoscopic surgery. This means that both hands can be operated on at the same time. However, do be careful not to get your bandages wet or dirty. The small suture is usually removed after 12 days. After this, you can carry out most everyday activities without restrictions. You can even do sport that doesn’t require strong manual activity without any issues. Sports such as gymnastics are possible again after about 4 weeks.
Initial Consultation (40 mins): €165.
Telemedicine Initial Consultation: Free of charge.
Follow-Up Treatment Fee: €150.
SURGERIES:
Private Insurance: Your private insurance covers all surgical costs.
KFA Patients: Can undergo surgery at Sanatorium Hera without any additional fees under insurance coverage.
BVA Patients: At the Protestant Hospital, the cost is approximately €2400. This can be submitted to the BVA for partial reimbursement.
Without Private Insurance (ÖGK, SVS):
- Open Minimally Invasive Surgery: Starting at €1200 per hand.
- Endoscopic Surgery: Approximately €3200 – €3500 per hand. For both hands in a single session, the cost is about €4600.
International Patients (Outside European Countries): Endoscopic surgery costs approximately €12,400 per hand. We are happy to provide a personalized cost estimate upon request.
Our Commitment to Transparent Pricing: We guarantee no hidden fees. The quoted prices for surgeries include all surgical and hospitalization costs. Prices vary based on the chosen hospital and anesthesia method. As such, self-paying patients will receive a detailed cost estimate from us once all details are confirmed.
The surgery can be performed at the following sites:
Währing Private Clinic (www.privatklinik-waehring.com)
Rudolfinerhaus Private Clinic (www.rudolfinerhaus.at)
Döbling Private Clinic (www.privatklinik-doebling.at)
Evangelisches Krankenhaus, Vienna (www.ekhwien.at)
Yes, this is possible with endoscopic technology. However, we advise against it if you opt for the conventional open surgical technique.
Yes, of course. As the costs involved are lower, some patients prefer this option.
CONTACT
Dr Georg C. Bézard, Senior Consultant
Arztpraxis Döbling
Döblinger Hauptstraße 16, 1190 Wien
Tulln Practice
Hauptplatz 29 / Eingang Donaugasse 2, Top 3, 3430 Tulln
Telephone: +43 (0) 660 3737 936
E-mail: office@drbezard.com
Internet: www.carpaltunnelsyndrom.at
Practice visits by appointment only
