Carpal Tunnel: Symptoms, Causes and Treatment Options

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is a very common syndrome that impacts the nerves in the hand. It is a painful, progressively debilitating condition that occurs when the median nerve in the wrist becomes compressed as a result of swelling and/or inflamed tendons. It typically impacts the thumb, index finger, middle finger and part of the ring finger.

What Causes Carpal Tunnel?

There are a number of factors that may cause or contribute to the development of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. These factors can include:

• obesity
• rheumatoid arthritis
• diabetes
• repetitive hand movements, like those from computer work or a mouse
• wrist injuries
• bone spurs
• smoking

Many times when Carpal Tunnel is detected, one individual cause cannot be detected as a combination of risk factors are often to blame for the development of the condition.

What Are the Symptoms of Carpal Tunnel?

The main symptoms of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome impact the fingers, hand, and sometimes the forearm. They include:

• discomfort
• tingling
• pain
• numbness
• weakness

These sensations associated with Carpal Tunnel may occur when performing actions like gripping a steering wheel and holding objects in your hands. They may also occur when you wake up from sleeping. Carpal Tunnel symptoms tend to develop gradually, worsening over time as the condition progresses.

What Are Some Treatment Options for Carpal Tunnel?

There are a variety of options when it comes to treating Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. Treatment protocol will vary based on the severity of the case. Both non-surgical and surgical treatment options are available for patients suffering from Carpal Tunnel. Typically, cases that are detected early can be treated non-surgically. Non-surgical treatment options for Carpal Tunnel include:

• Avoidance of activities that trigger the onset of symptoms
• Wrist splinting
• Anti-inflammatory drugs
• Corticosteroid injections

For more severe cases of Carpal Tunnel, surgical treatment is often necessary to relieve symptoms. The goal of Carpal Tunnel surgery is to release the pressure on the median nerve. In most cases, Carpal Tunnel surgery involves cutting the carpal ligament to free the median nerve. Recovery after Carpal Tunnel surgery varies by case, but typically takes several weeks.

What Should You Do If You Have Carpal Tunnel?

If you think you may be suffering from Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, you should make an appointment with your primary care doctor, or with a doctor who specializes in the treatment of arms, wrists and hands. Your doctor will perform an examination and do some tests to determine the severity of your case, then decide what the best course of action is for treating your Carpal Tunnel. Looking for a specialist with experience treating hand, arm and wrist pain in the Glens Falls area? Contact Garcia Plastic and Hand Surgery today! Dr. Juan Garcia has years of experience treating patients in Glens Falls, Saratoga, Lake George, Warrensburg and beyond with arm, wrist and elbow injuries. A specialist in hand and wrist treatment and surgery, Dr. Garcia and his team will provide you with a skilled assessment of your condition, and share valuable information about treatment options so you can make an informed decision about how to best manage and treat your Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. Contact Dr. Garcia today at 518-793-0475 to learn more about managing and treating your Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. Interested in scheduling a free consultation? Fill out out our simple online form or give us a call to get started today!