Dr. Laura Tharp of Orthopedic Surgeons of Georgia is proud to offer a Carpal Tunnel Release (CTR) and Trigger Finger Release (TFR) technique using a minimally invasive approach. Most patients can return to work and the activities they love within a few short days of the procedure. The reduced recovery time for CTR and TFR using this less invasive technique is a game changer, and Dr. Tharp is excited to be the first orthopedic hand surgeon to bring this to South Georgia.
The Carpal Tunnel Release (CTR) procedure uses real-time ultrasound guidance and is performed in minutes in the beautiful new day-surgery unit at Coffee Regional Medical Center. Patients are typically awake during the procedure; only local anesthesia is required unless the patient requests full anesthesia. Local anesthesia numbs a small area of the body, leaving the patient awake. A micro-incision is made at the wrist, so small that it only requires a single suture. This small incision reduces and often eliminates the need for opioids, with most patients needing nothing more than acetaminophen or ibuprofen.
Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is a common cause of hand pain, resulting in numbness and tingling in the hands and fingers. CTS affects millions of Americans. Surgery is often delayed or declined due to fear and the time associated with traditional carpal tunnel relief procedures. Dr. Tharp explains, “If left untreated, carpal tunnel syndrome can cause long-term debilitation in the hands and prevent the ease of everyday tasks. I am excited to offer my patients a less invasive technique that promotes a rapid recovery so they can return to their jobs and lives faster.”
Dr. Tharp also uses this real-time ultrasound guided technique to perform Trigger Finger Release (TFR) in a similar procedure. Trigger finger causes stiffness, pain, and difficulty bending in one or more fingers. A small incision in the palm is typically closed with a single suture. Patients can return to normal activities as tolerated as early as one day after the procedure.
Medicare and most private insurance companies typically cover both CTR and TFR procedures described above. Patients should always confirm coverage with their insurer before treatment. For more information about TFR and CTR using real-time ultrasound guidance, please contact Orthopedic Surgeons of Georgia at (912) 383-6575.
Dr. Laura Tharp is an experienced orthopedic surgeon with Orthopedic Surgeons of Georgia. Dr. Tharp specializes in injuries and ailments of the hand, wrist, and elbow. A native of Fitzgerald, Georgia, she earned her undergraduate degree from the University of Georgia before completing medical studies at Mercer University School of Medicine. She completed an orthopedic residency at Medical University at South Carolina and a fellowship in Hand, Wrist, and Elbow at the University of Miami.