| |
|
 |  | With Insurance: $10-$1,000+ |  | Non-surgical Treatment: $300 or less |  | Surgical Treatment: $7,000 per hand |
|
|
|
|
Typical costs: | - Without health insurance, non-surgical treatment of carpal tunnel typically costs about $300 or less. A doctor visit would cost $200 or less, and a splint or brace costs about $20 to $40.
- Without health insurance, surgical treatment of carpal tunnel would cost about $7,000 or more per hand -- or $14,000 or more for both hands. For example, according to Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center[1] out-of-pocket cost calculator, a carpal tunnel release surgery for one hand would cost $6,928, including the hospital facility fees and the doctor fees, with an uninsured discount.
- Health insurance typically covers carpal tunnel treatment, including surgery for severe cases when conservative treatments have failed. With insurance, typical expenses would include a doctor visit copay of $10 to $30 or more and, for surgical treatment, coinsurance of 30 percent or more that could reach $1,000+.
Related articles: Sprained or Broken Wrist, Massage
| |
What should be included: | - For mild cases of carpal tunnel, treatment typically involves rest, ice packs if necessary and use of a splint to keep the wrist immobilized. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs might also be prescribed.
- For more severe cases where symptoms last longer than six months, surgery might be required. In carpal tunnel release surgery, the surgeon makes a small incision into the wrist and cuts the carpal ligament, taking pressure off the carpal nerve. The outpatient surgery requires local anesthesia. According to WebMD[2] , patients whose surgery was on the non-dominant hand and whose job duties do not involve repetitive motion will typically need to take one to two weeks off, while patients whose surgery was on the dominant hand and who do perform repetitive motions will need six to 12 weeks away from those duties.
- The National Institutes of Health[3] offers a fact sheet on carpal tunnel syndrome.
Discounts: | - Some orthopedic specialists offer discounts for uninsured/cash-paying patients or prompt payment. For example, Southern California Orthopedic Institute offers discounted services for cash-paying patients, and Northwest Community Hospital Orthopedic Services Center[4] , in Chicago, offers discounts for prompt payment.
- Some free clinics, such as Community Health Free Clinic[5] in Chicago, offer orthopedic specialty care. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services[6] provides a directory of federally funded health centers; if the nearest clinic doesn't offer orthopedic care, ask for a referral .
Shopping for carpal tunnel treatment: | - For carpal tunnel treatment, look for a board-certified orthopedic surgeon with experience treating carpal tunnel. The American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery[7] offers a locator for board-certified orthopedic surgeons. To find a surgeon who specializes in hand surgery, check the doctor locator at the American Society for Surgery of the Hand[8] ; check to make sure the surgeon also is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon.
- Carpal tunnel braces or splints can be obtained from a doctor or purchased through online medical supply companies such as Allegro Medical[9] .
- Risks of carpal tunnel surgery include pain, infection, stiffness, nerve damage, scarring and loss of strength in the wrist.
|
Material on this page is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as medical advice. Always consult your physician or pharmacist regarding medications or medical procedures.
|
|
|
|
CostHelper News
| 
Forgotten Expenses In a Home Addition Budget
Items like construction costs, permit fees or debris removal aren't the only expenses to consider when calculating the total costs of a home remodeling project. || Posted August 5 2013
| | 
10 Most Popular Cosmetic Procedures Before the Holidays
With reunions and other get-togethers scheduled during the holiday season, most people want to look their best at this time of year. For some, that means filling in those wrinkles with a bit of botox, or having a nip and tuck down here and there. || Posted November 23 2013
|
|
|
|
|
|
What People Are Paying - Recent Comments |
|
|
|
|
External Resources: | - patients.dartmouth-hitchcock.org/billing_questions/charges_for_healthcare_services.html
- www.webmd.com/pain-management/carpal-tunnel/open-carpal-tunnel-surgery-for-carpal-tunne...
- www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/carpal_tunnel/detail_carpal_tunnel.htm
- www.nch.org/medical-services/orthopedic-services/index.php
- www.communityhfc.org/referals.htm
- findahealthcenter.hrsa.gov/Search_HCC.aspx
- www.abos.org/find-a-certified-orthopaedic-surgeon.aspx
- www.assh.org/Public/Pages/HandSurgeons.aspx
- www.allegromedical.com/browse/browseProducts.do?categoryKey=6489&searchPhrase=carpal+tu...
More Health & Personal Care Topics
|
Search Thousands of Topics on CostHelper.com
|
|
| |
| Today's Featured Cost Articles |
|
|
|
|
Post
