WHAT IS CARPAL TUNNEL SYNDROME?
Carpal tunnel syndrome is an extremely common wrist issue. Irritation or damage inside the carpal tunnel in your wrist causes it when swelling presses on your median nerve. Carpal tunnel syndrome symptoms include wrist pain, tingling, numbness and weakness. A healthcare provider will suggest treatments like wearing a splint, physical therapy or surgery.
Carpal tunnel syndrome usually develops slowly. You might only experience minor symptoms at first that may get worse over time. People usually first notice symptoms at night — pain or tingling may wake you up. Over time, the symptoms may start affecting you during the day, especially if you do the same kind of motion a lot at work like typing, writing or using tools.
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF CARPAL TUNNEL SYNDROME?
The most common carpal tunnel symptoms include:
- Numbness in your wrist, hand or fingers (especially your fingertips)
- Pain in your wrist, hand or fingers Tingling
- Trouble using your hands to hold or control objects (like holding your phone, gripping the steering
wheel, holding a pen or typing on a keyboard, for example)
CARPAL TUNNEL SYNDROME SURGERY
If conservative treatments don’t work, your provider will suggest carpal tunnel surgery. Your surgeon will perform a carpal tunnel release to create more space inside your wrist. They’ll make an incision (cut) in the ligament that connects your wrist to your palm (your transverse carpal ligament). This reduces tension on your carpal tunnel and gives your tendons and nerves more space.
Carpal tunnel release surgery is usually an outpatient procedure, which means one can go home the same day.
Carpal tunnel release surgery is usually an outpatient procedure, which means one can go home the same day.
TIME DURATION AFTER TREATMENT?
One should start feeling better as soon as one starts carpal tunnel treatment. It might take a few weeks (or longer) for nonsurgical treatments to reduce the pressure on your median nerve, but your symptoms should start improving gradually.
Carpal tunnel surgery should improve your symptoms as soon as your wrist heals. It usually takes a month or two to recover.
Carpal tunnel surgery should improve your symptoms as soon as your wrist heals. It usually takes a month or two to recover.