Common carpal tunnel symptoms, such as hand pain, finger numbness, and a weakened grip, can make everyday activities difficult. Over 3 million Americans are diagnosed with carpal tunnel syndrome each year and are impacted by these changes in their quality of life.
Vero Orthopaedics offers a solution. Join us for a free seminar, “Minimally Invasive Treatment Options for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome,” presented by our fellowship-trained hand and upper extremity specialist, Joao (Joe) Panattoni, M.D.
Event Details at a Glance
- Date: Monday, June 22
- Time: 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM
- Location: Vero Orthopaedics, 3955 Indian River Boulevard, Vero Beach, FL 32960
- Admission: Free
- Registration: curemycarpaltunnel.com/vero or call (888) 681-0221
What Is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?
Carpal tunnel syndrome occurs when the median nerve, which runs from your forearm into the palm of your hand, becomes compressed at the wrist. This nerve travels through the carpal tunnel, which is formed by bones, ligaments, and tendons.
When tissues around the tendons become inflamed, they crowd the space and pressure the median nerve. This nerve controls sensation in your thumb and first three fingers, as well as the small muscles that move your thumb. Pressure on this nerve causes the discomfort of carpal tunnel syndrome.
Recognizing the Symptoms of Carpal Tunnel
At first, the symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome may come and go, but over time they can become constant and impair hand function as the compression on the median nerve continues. These symptoms include the following:
- Numbness and Tingling. A burning or pins-and-needles sensation, often felt in the thumb, index, middle, and ring fingers.
- Nighttime Discomfort. Symptoms may wake you from sleep because sleeping with bent wrists increases pressure on the nerve.
- Hand Weakness. Trouble grasping or dropping objects, or struggling with fine motor tasks like buttoning a shirt.
- Radiating Pain. A dull ache that travels up your hand, wrist, and forearm toward your elbow.
Modern, Minimally Invasive Treatment Options
Patients sometimes avoid seeing an orthopaedic doctor, assuming treatment requires a long surgical recovery. Thankfully, medical advancements have revolutionized hand care. Dr. Panattoni will discuss several of these highly effective, minimally invasive treatments during the seminar.
Nonsurgical Conservative Management
For mild or moderate cases of carpal tunnel, conservative therapies can relieve pressure on the median nerve. These include night splints, physical therapy, or localized corticosteroid injections to reduce swelling.
Endoscopic Carpal Tunnel Release
If surgery is needed, Dr. Panattoni often performs endoscopic carpal tunnel release. Unlike traditional open surgery, the endoscopic technique uses one or two small incisions. Through these ports, Dr. Panattoni inserts a camera (an endoscope) and instruments to release the tight ligament pressing on the median nerve. This approach results in minimal scarring, less post-operative pain, and a quick return to daily activities.
The Benefits of Wide-Awake Hand Surgery (WALANT)
Dr. Panattoni offers WALANT (Wide-Awake Local Anesthesia, No Tourniquet) hand surgery.
Traditional surgery required general anesthesia or sedation, pre-operative testing, fasting, and dealing with groggy side effects. It also relied on a tourniquet to control bleeding, which could cause discomfort and require stopping blood-thinning medications.
WALANT addresses these challenges in the following ways:
- Local Anesthesia. We use a combination of lidocaine and epinephrine injected around the site. This numbs the area and minimizes bleeding.
- No Required Hospital Stay. Dr. Panattoni performs WALANT in our procedure room at our main office.
- Minimal Complications. Since you remain fully awake, there are no anesthesia-related risks. This is beneficial for patients with underlying medical conditions.
- Real-Time Monitoring. During the procedure, Dr. Panattoni can ask you to move your fingers. This allows him to verify that the nerve pressure has been relieved before the procedure is complete.
Meet Your Speaker: Dr. Panattoni
Dr. Panattoni is a board-certified, fellowship-trained orthopaedic hand surgeon who joined Vero Orthopaedics in 2018. He completed specialized fellowship training in hand surgery and microsurgery at the Christine M. Kleinert Institute for Hand and Microsurgery in Louisville, Kentucky, and a fellowship in hand and reconstructive microsurgery at the National University Hospital in Singapore.
He is also a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons (FACS) and holds a Subspecialty Certificate in Orthopaedic Surgery of the Hand. He dedicated nearly a decade to academic medicine, training residents and staying current on surgical methods. Dr. Panattoni uses patient-focused techniques to deliver results with minimal disruption to his patients’ lives.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is carpal tunnel surgery painful? Due to minimally invasive techniques and local anesthetics, patients report little discomfort during the procedure. Post-operative pain is typically mild and managed with over-the-counter pain relievers.
- How long does recovery take after a minimally invasive carpal tunnel release? Most patients experience immediate relief from nighttime tingling and numbness. While complete healing takes several weeks, many patients return to light activities and office work within a few days.
- Can carpal tunnel syndrome return after surgery? Recurrence is rare. Once the ligament is released, the space is permanently widened, preventing nerve compression.
- Do I need a referral to attend this seminar? No, a referral is not required. This is a community education event designed to provide clear, helpful information to anyone in the Vero Beach area experiencing hand or wrist discomfort.
How to RSVP for the Seminar
Space for this in-person event is limited to ensure Dr. Panattoni can answer questions during the Q&A session.
- To RSVP Online: Visit curemycarpaltunnel.com/vero
- To RSVP by Phone: Call (888) 681-0221
To request an individual evaluation or consultation with Dr. Panattoni outside of the seminar, please visit our online booking portal.
Reserve your seat today. We look forward to seeing you on Monday, June 22nd!
