If carpal tunnel syndrome gets diagnosed before it progresses, you can get long-lasting results with nonsurgical treatments. The longer you go without treatment, the more injury the nerve sustains. Then, you may need surgery to get symptom relief.
The best way to avoid surgery is to identify the hand and wrist pain caused by carpal tunnel syndrome and schedule a prompt evaluation.
Our expert team at Cascade Orthopedics & Sports Medicine Center, P.C., creates a customized treatment plan based on your unique needs and the extent of the nerve damage.
Here’s what you need to know about recognizing the signs and your carpal tunnel treatment options.
Carpal tunnel syndrome develops when the median nerve is pinched as it travels through a narrow passage in your wrist (the carpal tunnel). The nerve shares the passage with several tendons. If the tendons become inflamed, they pinch the nerve inside the tunnel.
The pinched nerve causes symptoms such as:
Carpal tunnel symptoms usually develop gradually and may come and go initially, but don’t wait to seek help when you recognize the signs.
As long as the nerve isn't severely damaged, any of the following can give you long-term symptom relief:
Many cases of carpal tunnel syndrome begin because your job, occupation, or hobbies require repetitive hand or finger movements.
You may not be able to prevent these movements, but you can lower your risk or relieve symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome by taking short, regular breaks.
Bending your wrist up or down while working on a keyboard, painting, playing the piano, or doing any other activity puts intensive stress on the tissues in the carpal tunnel. The stress leads to inflammation and carpal tunnel syndrome.
Keeping your wrist in a neutral position means holding your arm, wrist, and hand in a straight line.
If you type, keep the keyboard low enough that your arm and wrist are level while your elbow bends at a right angle. A wristrest for the keyboard may also help. Or, you may need to wear a brace.
The force you use when tapping the keyboard, how tightly you grip your phone, pen, or hand tools, and holding an object the same way for a long time puts extreme stress on the nerve.
Using a lighter touch and taking breaks during activities can help prevent or heal carpal tunnel syndrome.
You may aggravate the nerve at night if you put your hand under your head or bend your wrist while sleeping. You can prevent this problem (and support your daytime efforts) by wearing a wrist brace at night.
We teach you nerve-gliding and stretching exercises to relax and destress the median nerve and tendons in the tunnel. You may need to follow a regular exercise routine or do brief exercises when you take breaks from repetitive movements.
If self-care tips and exercises don’t help, or your symptoms are moderate to severe at the time we diagnose carpal tunnel, you may need a steroid or PRP injection.
A steroid injection reduces inflammation of the tissues in the tunnel. PRP injections contain platelets obtained from a sample of your blood. After we inject the platelets, they release specialized proteins that trigger healing.
Combining injections with self-care steps may provide long-lasting carpal tunnel relief by preventing future inflammation or nerve irritation.
You may need surgery if:
Carpal tunnel surgery, called carpal tunnel release, is a minimally invasive procedure to prevent permanent nerve damage, relieve symptoms, and restore hand function.
During carpal tunnel release, we cut the ligament that forms the tunnel roof, immediately taking pressure off the nerve.
Schedule an evaluation by calling Cascade Orthopedics & Sports Medicine Center, P.C., or booking online to get a carpal tunnel exam and learn the treatment you need for long-lasting relief.
