Carpal tunnel syndrome is a painful condition where compression of the median nerve causes numbness, weakness, and pain in the hand.
What is carpal tunnel syndrome?
Carpal tunnel syndrome is fairly common and affects as many as 5% of the population. It often occurs in people who do a lot of typing or work that involves repetitive wrist movements such as carpenters, musicians, and those who use vibrating equipment; however carpal tunnel syndrome can also be related to obesity, rheumatoid arthritis, and hypothyroidism. Individuals with diabetes are at increased risk for developing carpal tunnel syndrome compared to those without diabetes. Carpal tunnel syndrome has been found to occur more commonly in women than men.
What are the symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome?
Symptoms include pain, numbness, tingling, and weakness in the hand mainly felt during the night may wake individuals up from sleep due to its painful nature.
What causes carpal tunnel syndrome?
Nerve compression at carpal tunnel causes carpal tunnel syndrome.
The median nerve that runs from the forearm into the hand is surrounded by bones, ligaments, and tissue of the wrist that form the carpal tunnel. As carpal tunnel syndrome develops this area becomes swollen which can narrow the carpel tunnel by as much as 50%.
How is carpal tunnel syndrome treated?
Treatment typically includes carpal tunnel release surgery, corticosteroid injections, and the use of wrist braces. Wrist braces are most effective early in the disease and are often used at night or when typing.
Corticosteroid injections are used to decrease inflammation which relieves pressure on the median nerve, decreasing pain caused by carpal tunnel syndrome.
Carpal tunnel release surgery is the most common treatment for carpal tunnel syndrome. It involves making an incision at the wrist to release the transverse carpal ligament in order to relieve pressure on the median nerve. This can be done through a single small endoscopic incision at the wrist.
We are able to perform carpal tunnel release comfortably under local anesthesia at the procedural suite in our office; no bloodwork, no fasting, and a quick return to normal life!
