The condition known as carpal tunnel syndrome came to light only in the past few decades, and even still little is known about the cause of it.

Doctors are making incredible strides in treating carpal tunnel though.

Ten years ago Christi McWilliams quit her job as a police dispatcher and followed her dream by enrolling in hair school. 

Not long after Christi started styling hair, her hands and wrists started cramping up.

"The continuous repetition of doing hair put it into full-blown, horrible pain," said Christi.

At that point, Christi suspected carpal tunnel syndrome, but she managed her pain with massages and limited rest.

"When you're not behind your chair, you're not able to make money. That was part of the reason why I just dealt with it. I just made it work I guess," said Christi.

It got to the point where Christi was hurting so much that this talented hair stylist would drop her hairdryer on customers heads, because she just couldn't hold on anymore.

Finally, last year a friend recommended a new procedure that would only have Christi down for 1-2 weeks and she could get both hands done at once.

"The doctor sent me upstairs and I had a nerve test. By the end of the week, I had surgery scheduled because at that point it was so horrible. It was just ridiculous," said Christi.

Dr. Ellis Cooper III with the Orthopedic Specialists in Shreveport said Christi proved to be a perfect candidate for what's called endoscopic carpal tunnel release.

 "In this scenario, instead of making a large incision at the base of your palm we actually make a much smaller, less-than-a-centimeter incision at the level of your wrist," said Cooper.

Through the use of a tiny camera, Cooper was able to operate on Christi in just ten minutes.

For Christi, the short recovery time was ideal. 

"Patients are able to get back to their normal activities much sooner than with an open release," said Cooper.

"I sleep better. I feel like I'm a new person having hands that are not in so much pain," said Christi.

Now she's back at work and recommending Cooper whenever she gets the chance.

Cooper is one of just a handful of orthopedic specialists in the Ark La Tex who performs the less invasive carpal tunnel release.