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Dr. Sauvageau explains hand surgery for carpal tunnel syndrome and trigger finger

Dr. Sauvageau explains hand surgery for carpal tunnel syndrome and trigger finger


Carpal tunnel syndrome is the most common cause of hand pain worldwide, affecting millions of people each year.


Jolène’s case is quite common

Jolène, 46, a full-time hairdresser, complains of pain in her hand. She cannot sleep anymore at night, and around 3 a.m. she senses pins and needles in her hand. Even the simplest services at the salon becomes complicated, lifting product boxes becomes impossible, and she doesn't know what to do. A doctor diagnoses her with advanced carpal tunnel syndrome but cannot operate on her right now and she is placed on a waiting list. If she is lucky, her operation will take place within 1 year.


“When a patient can no longer lift a carton of milk, this is an alarming sign that the syndrome is already quite advanced and that it requires immediate surgery to prevent the symptoms from becoming irreversible.” explains Dr. Sauvageau


Clinique K and carpal tunnel surgery

Why choose Clinique K? Carpal tunnel surgery is offered at most hospitals across the province, so why choose a cosmetic surgery clinic to perform this quick and easy procedure?


The speed of intervention.

In private practice, there is no waiting list.

At Clinique K, patients can choose their surgery date according to their work schedules, vacation plans, etc.

Take the example of a man who works in construction, has waited several months to have carpal tunnel surgery, and is starting his busiest week of the year. In our public system, he could be called only 4 days before his surgery date, and there is no way to postpone the appointment. At a private clinic like Clinique K, patients can select a desired date, time, and surgeon.

Dr. Sauvageau: a surgeon with precise expertise

Dr. Joan Sauvageau has operated on hundreds of patients with carpal tunnel decompression syndrome in hospital settings, and now offers this surgery at her new clinic located in Old Longueuil. Driven by a desire to help others, she draws upon her skill and expertise to end the suffering of those awaiting hand surgery, helping them return to a more normal life.


“Private practice is really rewarding since I can quickly relieve my patients of their pain. When the problem is not taken care of with urgency, the symptoms can quickly worsen and even become irreversible. It’s a simple procedure, but one that must be taken seriously,” explains Dr. Sauvageau.


Learn more about Dr. Joan Sauvageau


What are the most common symptoms?

Carpal tunnel syndrome occurs when the median nerve, which runs from the arm to the hand through the wrist, becomes compressed or pinched. Symptoms include:

  • Pain
  • Numbness
  • Tingling
  • A weakness in the hand (more specifically the thumb, index and middle fingers) as well as the wrist in the most serious cases.

At first, patients wake up regularly during the night, complaining of numbness and severe pain. Shaking the hand brings relief in the short term. If the syndrome is not treated with urgency, it will worsen considerably until the patient cannot perform daily tasks. Manual work of all kinds then becomes impossible...

In severe cases, carpal tunnel syndrome can cause loss of sensation and movement in the hand and wrist.

Learn more about carpal tunnel syndrome

The causes of carpal tunnel syndrome

Carpal tunnel syndrome has no specific cause, it occurs through repetitive manual tasks. The median nerve is compressed repeatedly causing inflammation of the tendons surrounding the nerve. Inflammatory diseases such as arthritis, a poorly treated wrist injury, a tumor or an anatomical abnormality of the wrist can put the patient at greater risk of rapidly developing this syndrome. Certain medical conditions such as diabetes, hypothyroidism, pregnancy, and obesity can also be risk-increasing events.

Aging is not an explanation for Carpal tunnel pain. If you are a person over the age of 65 who suffers from severe pain in your hand, or more specifically in your thumb and fingers, speak to your doctor to prevent your situation from worsening. There are several risk factors for carpal tunnel syndrome including:

  • People with a family history of carpal tunnel syndrome
  • People who perform repetitive movements or frequently use their hands and wrists, such as factory workers, cashiers, hairdressers, musicians, seamstresses, surgeons, etc.
  • Pregnant women can also develop carpal tunnel syndrome due to hormonal changes and fluid retention in the tissues, but this usually returns to normal sometime after delivery. If the pain persists 2 months after childbirth, you must inform your doctor.

It is important to note that anyone can develop carpal tunnel syndrome, even without having these risk factors. If you have symptoms, please see a doctor for an accurate diagnosis and proper treatment.


Surgical intervention

Carpal tunnel decompression is a surgical procedure that aims to relieve the symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome. It is a quick and efficient procedure that can be performed under local anesthesia and has a high success rate.

Recovery is relatively quick; 1 to 3 months of complete hand rest, depending on the type of intervention. Dr. Sauvageau will of course provide you with an official work stoppage note for a period of time.

"The surgery takes between 15 to 20 minutes and completely changes the life of the patient," says Dr. Sauvageau.


Expect to pay between 00 and 50 depending on the severity and evolution of the symptom.


Book my appointment


What is trigger finger syndrome?

Trigger finger syndrome is characterized by a loss of mobility and flexibility in the joints of the fingers. The fingers get stuck, the patient feels a feeling of blockage in the joints coupled with severe pain. In this case, anti-inflammatory drugs are not effective.

The only way to alleviate this pain in a lasting way is surgery or cortisone injections while awaiting surgery.

Learn more about trigger finger

Other surgical procedures offered by Dr. Sauvageau:

  • Breast augmentation
  • Breast lift
  • Abdominoplasty
  • Post-pregnancy rejuvenation (or mommy makeover)
  • Blepharoplasty
  • Labiaplasty (intimate surgery)
  • Hand surgery (Carpal tunnel decompression)
  • Filler and neuromodulator injections
To book a consultation with Dr. Joan Sauvageau :

514-508-3555

BOOK MY APPOINTMENT
Why choose Clinique K?

At Clinique K, our mission is to improve your appearance, self-esteem and self-confidence. We promote values of respect, empathy, excellence, safety and teamwork. What’s more, we strive to offer a unique experience to our patients, which is why our clinic has an ultra-modern operating room, in a warm, welcoming and relaxing setting. Our diversified services allow us to serve you with a more personalized approach according to your unique needs, including cosmetic surgeries, laser treatments, and a wide range of medical grade skin care products.

Carpal tunnel syndrome is the most common cause of hand pain worldwide, affecting millions of people each year.

Sandrine Boudreau

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