Once you have received a diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome, your doctor or physical therapist may recommend certain treatment options to relieve the symptoms and prevent further damage. Depending on the severity of your condition, treatments can range from simple lifestyle changes to surgery. The Westfield carpal tunnel is located on the front of your wrist, a space through which tendons and the median nerve pass from your forearm to your hand.
There are various diagnostic methods, like imaging scans and nerve conduction studies. If you would like to know if you suffer from carpal tunnel syndrome, these are the symptoms to look out for:
- Numbness, tingling, and pain in your fingers or hand.
- Pain radiating up your arm to the elbow.
- Weakness in your thumb or difficulty gripping objects.
- Waking up at night due to pain or numbness in the affected area.
These are the stages of carpal tunnel syndrome:
- Mild: You may experience pain or numbness in your hand, but it is not severe and does not interfere with daily activities.
- Moderate: Pain and numbness worsen, interfering with work or other activities. At this stage, the median nerve may become compressed.
- Severe: The constant symptoms make it difficult to perform even basic tasks such as buttoning a shirt or opening a jar.
This condition can be caused by several issues, such as:
Repetitive motions: This means that if you make the same motions repeatedly with your hands, such as typing on a computer keyboard or using tools, it can cause strain on the tissues in your wrist and lead to carpal tunnel syndrome.
Trauma: Injuries from falls or accidents that cause direct trauma to the wrist may also contribute to carpal tunnel syndrome.
Inflammation: Sometimes, conditions such as arthritis or tendinitis can cause inflammation of the tissues in the wrist, which can lead to carpal tunnel syndrome.
Fluid Retention: Pregnancy or hormonal changes can cause an increase in the amount of fluid that builds up around the tendons, pressing on the median nerve and causing carpal tunnel syndrome.
These are some of the treatment options:
Lifestyle Changes
Making simple changes to daily activities or using certain tools or devices to assist you can relieve some of your symptoms. For example, improving posture during computer work by raising the keyboard level with a wrist rest and avoiding repetitive motions can often help.
Splinting
Your doctor may recommend wearing a splint that fits around your wrist and holds it in a neutral position to prevent further pressure on the median nerve. Splints can be worn at night or during the day and should be removed when you are not using them.
Physical Therapy
Exercises and stretches can help to reduce swelling and relieve pressure on the median nerve. Your doctor or physical therapist may recommend specific exercises depending on your condition.
Medication
Your doctor may prescribe certain medications, such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), to reduce inflammation and pain.
Surgery
In severe cases, your doctor may recommend surgery to cut the ligament and increase the carpal tunnel size. Surgery is only recommended if other treatments have failed to provide relief.
If you are experiencing any symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome, it is advisable to consult with your doctor at Genesis Orthopaedic and Spine.
