Carpal tunnel surgery, also known as carpal tunnel release (CTR) or carpal tunnel decompression surgery, is used to treat carpal tunnel syndrome. This condition occurs when one of the major nerves in the wrist becomes pinched, causing numbness, tingling, and shooting pain in the fingers as well as general weakness of the hand muscles.
When these symptoms become persistent or do not respond to conservative therapies (such as wrist splinting, steroid injections, and nonsteroidal pain relievers), your healthcare provider may recommend carpal tunnel surgery.