As many as 10 million people in the United States have carpal tunnel syndrome and deal with numbness and tingling in their hands. It can make working difficult, especially if your job entails performing a repeated task, such as typing.
The providers at Orthocenter diagnose and treat carpal tunnel syndrome, a condition characterized by numbness in the thumb, index, and middle fingers. Carpal tunnel release, a surgery to correct the condition, is an option, but you may find relief through more conservative treatments, such as managing your condition at work.
Before we discuss how to manage carpal tunnel syndrome, it may be helpful to understand what causes it. The tendons and bones in your wrist form a tunnel that allows the nerves in your arm to run through to your hand, giving you amazing sensitivity in your fingers.
That tunnel is called the carpal tunnel. The largest nerve that runs through it is the median nerve, which gives you feeling in your thumb, first and middle fingers, and most of your ring finger.
If the soft tissues surrounding the carpal tunnel become inflamed, they can press in and narrow the tunnel, causing pressure on the median nerve. It’s more common in women than men, possibly because of smaller bone structures, and it is more common in people over 40.
The most common symptoms are pain, numbness, tingling, and weakness in the affected hand. The unpleasant sensations may also radiate up your forearm.
Most people notice the symptoms more often at night, especially early on. As the condition progresses, you may have trouble making a fist, opening jars or bottles, or buttoning your shirt.
You may notice the symptoms are worse after using the affected hand. If your job requires you to use your hands, you may always have symptoms or experience rapid progression of the condition. Here are a few tips to help you manage carpal tunnel syndrome.
If you can build periods of resting your hands and wrists into your day, do so. The more you can rest them, the more likely you’ll feel relieved.
Using an ice pack a few times throughout the day can help calm the inflammation and also relieve your symptoms.
It may help if you can use an ergonomic keyboard or mouse. Making sure your desk is ergonomically friendly can also help.
If your doctor recommends using a wrist splint at night, it could improve your symptoms during the day. Bracing or splints during the day may be helpful, but you should talk to your provider about what will work best for you.
If you can take nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), you may find they help. Such medications reduce inflammation, which may, in turn, reduce your symptoms.
If you suspect you have carpal tunnel syndrome, consult a specialist. The condition is often misdiagnosed, so it is essential to treat the right problem before you begin making changes.
At Orthocenter, we suggest treatment approaches based on your circumstances. Schedule an appointment today so we can give you personalized guidance.
