Numbness and tingling in your fingers. A weak grip. Difficulty performing simple daily tasks. Do any of these sound familiar? They are all common symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome.
Carpal tunnel syndrome develops when your median nerve gets compressed in your wrist. It can be a significant source of pain and even hand disability. But before you jump to conclusions about needing surgery, let's explore more about what carpal tunnel syndrome is and what the treatment options are.
Our team at Cascade Orthopaedics specializes in carpal tunnel care, and we’re here to help you find the right treatment for your needs.
The carpal tunnel is a narrow passageway in your wrist. Your median nerve and tendons pass from your forearm to your hand through the carpal tunnel, but swelling and inflammation can make this passageway even smaller than usual.
When the median nerve gets compressed or squeezed, it leads to carpal tunnel syndrome. The inflammation and compression that cause carpal tunnel syndrome are often the result of repetitive hand and wrist movements, injury, arthritis, or conditions like diabetes.
Carpal tunnel surgery is one of the most common types of hand surgery. But if you've been diagnosed with carpal tunnel syndrome, that doesn’t mean surgery is always the first or only solution.
In fact, we often try nonsurgical treatments first, and they can be very effective in relieving symptoms and improving your hand function.
Before developing your treatment plan, we do a comprehensive exam and review your medical history. We may also do imaging or nerve studies to confirm your diagnosis.
One of the most effective treatments is to modify activities that aggravate your symptoms. We ask questions about your daily habits, and we may recommend using ergonomic tools to reduce strain on your wrist and avoiding repetitive motions whenever possible.
Wearing a splint or brace can help keep your wrist in a neutral position and relieve pressure on the median nerve. When you’re resting, apply cold packs to your wrist for up to 20 minutes at a time to manage inflammation.
We may also prescribe anti-inflammatory medication or corticosteroid injections to reduce swelling and discomfort.
Finally, physical therapy can make a big difference for carpal tunnel syndrome symptoms. We guide you through exercises focused on stretching and strengthening the muscles and tendons in your hand and wrist. The goal is to improve flexibility and reduce pressure on your median nerve.
Many of our patients find relief from carpal tunnel pain with nonsurgical treatments. But sometimes, conservative treatments fail to provide adequate relief or symptoms are so severe that they significantly affect your quality of life.
In these cases, we might recommend carpal tunnel release surgery. During carpal tunnel release surgery, we cut the ligament that forms the roof of your carpal tunnel to enlarge the tunnel and relieve pressure on your median nerve.
We use minimally invasive techniques whenever possible, because minimally invasive surgery means smaller incisions and shorter recovery times.
Carpal tunnel release surgery does come with some risks, but if you have severe or persistent symptoms, it may offer the best chance of long-term relief and restored hand function.
Carpal tunnel syndrome doesn't always require surgery, but you should get a diagnosis so you can receive the best treatment plan for your specific needs. If you’re living with wrist, hand, or finger pain, book a consultation with our team to learn more about your options.
Call our office in Auburn or Bonney Lake, Washington, or request an appointment online today.