Have questions?

Phone: 800-349-7272
Fax: 855-456-0249
In the Event of a Medical Emergency, Call 911

Is it Carpal Tunnel or Just Too Much Scrolling?

In the current digital world, our habits and daily work routines profoundly impact our health. Hand discomfort has become increasingly common, but how do you distinguish if it’s just temporary strain or a more serious injury, like carpal tunnel syndrome?

At St. Cloud Surgical Center, board-certified orthopedic specialist Dr. Andrew Staiger provides excellent care for his patients. He is an expert in hand and upper extremity surgery and prioritizes exploring non-operative strategies with patients before resorting to surgical procedures. Dr. Staiger is committed to helping patients understand their diagnosis and get back to doing the things they love, without pain.


First things first, what exactly is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) occurs when the median nerve becomes compressed within the carpal tunnel, a narrow passageway in the wrist made of tendons, ligaments, and bones. While the exact cause is often idiopathic (meaning it arises spontaneously, without a known cause), it typically happens due to thickening along the tendons that share this finite space. As these tendons thicken, the nerve gets trapped or pinched, leading to characteristic symptoms like numbness, tingling, and pain.

While many people associate CTS with activities like keyboarding or repetitive hand movements, studies have shown that overuse doesn’t necessarily cause the condition directly. Instead, it often occurs in the general population, with some individuals being more predisposed to developing it than others. Swelling, inflammation, underlying medical conditions such as arthritis and diabetes, or acute injuries can also contribute to the compression and development of CTS.

Affecting an estimated 1 to 5 percent of adults, CTS is notably more prevalent in females than males, with a 3:1 ratio. 

But what happens if you aren’t part of that group and debilitating hand pain’s got you down? 

Well, it could be a phenomenon known as scroll fatigue brought on by excessive smartphone use. Research indicates that prolonged smartphone use forces wrists into bent positions, stressing thumb and finger tendons. This sustained strain can, over time, lead to discomfort in the muscles, tendons, and joints of the hand, wrists, and arms.

  • Aching or soreness in the wrist, thumb, or fingers
  • Tingling or slight numbness following extended phone use
  • Cramping or stiffness in the hands
  • Mild wrist or hand discomfort that improves with rest
  • Tightness in the forearm or base of the thumb 

Studies have correlated increased phone usage with pain in the wrist, causing inflammation. However, it doesn’t directly cause carpal tunnel syndrome. While scroll fatigue may not initially cause CTS, it’s a risk factor worth paying attention to before it progresses.


How To Tell The Difference Between Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and Scroll Fatigue

Recognizing the difference between everyday irritation and CTS starts with understanding the warning signs. 

Common indicators of carpal tunnel syndrome include: 

  • Tingling or numbness in your fingers (especially fingertips)
  • Pins-and-needles sensation 
  • Weakness in the hand, making it difficult to grip items or make a fist
  • Swelling and stiffness in the wrist and palm
  • Symptoms worsening at night or when hands are held in a flexed position for long periods 

While anyone can develop carpal tunnel syndrome, research suggests certain professions face a higher likelihood due to the repetitive hand and wrist movements inherent in their daily tasks. CTS is most commonly observed in individuals working in:

  • Office and tech jobs 
  • Construction and trades
  • Factory and assembly lines
  • Healthcare professionals
  • Artists and musicians

Ultimately, if your pain becomes too severe to manage on your own, you should see your local hand specialist to determine the best course of action.


Carpal Tunnel Procedures at St. Cloud Surgical Center

If you are diagnosed with carpal tunnel syndrome by a hand specialist, surgery may be a necessary step, especially if conservative methods prove insufficient. While surgery may feel daunting, if left untreated, CTS can lead to permanent nerve damage to the median nerve. 

In severe cases where surgery is necessary, Dr. Staiger and the hand surgeons at St. Cloud Surgical Center will perform a procedure known as carpal tunnel release. This is one of the most common surgical procedures in the United States and has an impressive success rate of 98% or better.

The surgical procedure involves severing a ligament pressing on the median nerve to reduce pressure. The procedure takes 15-30 minutes and is performed under local anesthesia, requiring no overnight stay.

Recovery following carpal tunnel release is generally a smooth process. Most patients can use their fingers almost immediately and can resume light activities within a week or two. Over several weeks, grip strength returns and the complete healing process is finished after a few months. Physical therapy and rest can help speed up the healing process as well. While recurrence is possible, it is not common, affecting only about 5% of patients, usually 10 or 15 years later.


Whether it’s carpal tunnel syndrome or just too much scrolling, it’s important to listen to your body. Early symptoms may seem like no big deal, but if left untreated they can lead to something more serious over time. Fortunately, with simple habit changes and early treatment, most people find relief. When needed, surgery often provides beneficial and lasting results. 

If numbness, tingling, or pain is consistently interfering with your daily life, it may be time to see a specialist. Our team at St. Cloud Surgical Center is dedicated to finding the right solution for you. With expert care and a strong desire to see patients improve, your hands are in good hands.


Introducing VELYS™ for Partial Knee Replacements with Dr. Eric Green 

At St. Cloud Surgical Center, we pride ourselves on being leaders in innovation. Everything we do is state-of-the-art, from our services to the technology we use. And no one exemplifies that better than Dr. Eric Green, a veteran orthopedic surgeon whose commitment to forward-thinking care has helped shape the future of joint replacement surgery. With over three decades of experience and a reputation for precision, Dr. Green has played a critical role in developing our orthopedic surgery offerings at the center, particularly with his advocacy of the VELYS™ Robotic-Assisted Solution, a game-changing technology for total and partial knee replacements.

We sat down with Dr. Green to get the inside scoop on how robotic technology is transforming orthopedic surgery, why accuracy matters more than ever, and what it means for patients entering the operating room today.


A NEW ERA OF KNEE REPLACEMENT

St. Cloud Surgical Center has been a leader in orthopedic surgery since the early 2000s. Over the years, we’ve invested heavily in technology, training, and talent to make our Knee Replacement Program a benchmark for others to follow.  Part of that commitment means staying ahead of the curve, and sometimes, helping shape the curve entirely.

A little over five years ago, Dr. Green approached our leadership team with an idea to bring in a new robotic device called the VELYS™ Robotic-Assisted Solution for total knee replacements. At the time, this technology was still in development, but Dr. Green had a unique advantage. He was one of only six orthopedic surgeons selected by Johnson & Johnson to help develop the VELYS™ system from the ground up. With his vision and drive, St. Cloud Surgical Center became one of the first facilities in the world to adopt the platform in 2022.

“The idea is to take the guesswork out of surgery,” Dr. Green explains. “We wanted a system that could consistently hit the surgical plan with unbelievable accuracy. And that’s exactly what VELYS™ does.”

So, what makes VELYS™ different?

At its core, VELYS™ uses an advanced optical camera that captures 300 images per second. This high-speed system tracks every tiny movement—from the patient’s smallest muscle twitch to their breathing and heartbeat—in real time.

“The system adapts in real time,” says Dr. Green. “It’s seamless. It allows us to operate with a level of precision we couldn’t achieve manually. With VELYS, we’re talking about 0.1 millimeters, 0.1 degrees.”

And let’s be clear: VELYS™ doesn’t replace surgeons like Dr. Green. It enhances their ability to execute an already solid plan with unmatched accuracy, offering real-time data and micro-adjustments to keep everything on track. For partial knee replacements, where preserving as much of the natural joint as possible is key, that precision matters more than ever.

In Dr. Green’s words, “It allows me to be more precise, more consistent. It helps me do what I already do well, just better.”


VELYS™ AND THE FUTURE OF PARTIAL KNEE REPLACEMENT

As our experience with the VELYS™ Robotic-Assist Solution grew, so did its potential. After proving itself in total knee replacements, it was a natural next step to introduce VELYS™ to the world of partial knee replacements. 

The partial knee replacement surgical procedure allows your surgeon to access, remove, and accurately replace only the damaged surface of your knee, leaving your healthy bone intact. 

The procedure typically follows these steps:

  • An incision is made to expose the joint.
  • The damaged area is reshaped to fit the implant components.
  • Trial components are temporarily placed to ensure proper alignment.
  • Once alignment is confirmed, the final implants are secured.
  • The incision is closed, and the recovery process begins.

What makes this procedure even more effective with VELYS™ is its ability to deliver robotic precision without needing a preoperative CT scan to map the surgical plan. That’s a big deal. Skipping the scan means less radiation, fewer appointments, and significant cost savings, all without compromising precision. The surgical plan is created in real time in the operating room using the system’s built-in camera and data tracking.

By removing the CT scan requirement, VELYS™ makes robotic-assisted surgery more accessible. While Minnesota requires insurance to cover pre-op scans, many states don’t, meaning patients elsewhere could be stuck with an unexpected bill. With VELYS™, more patients—regardless of insurance or geography—can access advanced, robotic-assisted surgery in a cost-effective outpatient setting.

VELYS™ is helping us bring smarter, more affordable partial knee replacements to more patients, and that’s a win all around.


LOOKING AHEAD: ROBOTICS AS THE NEW STANDARD

While Robotic-assisted surgery may make you feel a bit uneasy, it’s happening and it’s here. And if you ask Dr. Eric Green, it won’t be long before it’s standard practice everywhere because it’s just a better way of doing things.

“The accuracy, the efficiency, the outcomes. It all points to this becoming the norm,” says Dr. Green.

At St. Cloud Surgical Center, we’re choosing to set the standard so as not to be left behind. As one of the first outpatient centers in the country, we’ve always prided ourselves on our ability to provide cutting-edge, accessible care to our patients. Using robotics like VELYS™ Robotic-Assisted Solution is just one way we do that. 

Looking for real patients seeing real results? Check out this story from Jan, who shared her experience with VELYS™.To learn more about the St. Cloud Surgical Center orthopedic joint program, visit https://stcsurgicalcenter.com/procedures-specialties/joint-program/.