If you are dealing with the pain of carpal tunnel syndrome, then you are undoubtedly hoping to get relief so that you can function normally again. The pain, tingling, and numb sensations that come with this problem can range from a mild annoyance to debilitating pain. Fortunately, there are many treatments for carpal tunnel syndrome.
There are many ways to treat carpal tunnel syndrome. Since carpal tunnel syndrome can be associated with other underlying causes, your doctor will do some tests for illnesses like arthritis, low thyroid functioning and other issues.
If they find one of these conditions, the first step will be arranging treatment for them. If there is any existing inflammation of the surrounding tissues in your wrist, your doctor will prescribe NSAIDS or other medications that will help the swelling go down. Sometimes just reducing the swelling will relieve the sensations you are feeling as the nerve gets more space.
Your doctor will make a thorough examination to get to the root cause of your carpal tunnel syndrome symptoms. You can discuss with your doctor the activities you regularly perform in order to come up with a plan in case you need to make adjustments to your daily routine to let your wrist heal. You'll also learn prevention strategies to keep the problem from flaring up in the future.
It's important to treat the condition to avoid permanent nerve damage. If you have experienced a loss of muscle strength in your hand, you will be given an exercise regimen to help rebuild strength after you have gotten relief from your symptoms.
Some people only need to wear their brace at night, while others also find relief if they wear it during the day as well. Some people will receive injections of corticosteroids to relieve pain and swelling. While they can be very good for pain relief, if you have diabetes, you should be cautious not to have too many.
Corticosteroids can interfere with your insulin levels. You will be told to avoid some tasks that may be causing symptoms, or at least to take frequent breaks to let your wrists get some rest. After several weeks of this, you may be re-evaluated to see if you are getting any relief from the symptoms.
If you are seeing a change for the better, your doctor will probably recommend more of the same. If your symptoms are getting worse, you may go through further testing to evaluate you for surgical treatment. Carpal tunnel release surgery cuts the ligament that forms the top of the tunnel your median nerve runs through. This will release the pressure on the nerve and ease your symptoms.
The surgical approach to this condition is called carpal tunnel release surgery. It works by cutting the ligament that makes up the top of the canal through which your median nerve runs. This relieves the pressure on the nerve to alleviate your symptoms. The surgery has a high success rate in relieving the pain, but if you have experienced permanent nerve damage, you may have some residual pain or numbness. You'll need to rest your wrist completely for several weeks after the surgery.
If you'd rather not have surgery, you may want to try exercises and stretches to gain a measure of relief. A physical therapist may also be able to help you design a plan to treat carpal tunnel syndrome.
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