Four Common Questions about Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Our hands play an important role in most of the functions that we perform daily.  Although they are strong and resilient, they may still sustain injuries.  One of the most common hand disorders is carpal tunnel syndrome.  This is when the nerve running down your hand, which is called the median nerve, becomes inflamed, causing pain on the nearby muscles, bones, and ligaments.  Our orthopedic surgeon in Deland can provide you with treatment options to manage pain and other symptoms.  Before you talk to your doctor, there are a few things you should know about carpal tunnel syndrome.

What are the symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome?

Carpal tunnel syndrome is a disorder that appears gradually over time, and its symptoms will worsen over time.  At first, it may feel like a tingling sensation in your hand or wrist area.  Eventually, it may cause numbness in your thumb, especially at nighttime.  As you continue to suffer from carpal tunnel, you will start to feel these sensations gradually make their way up your arm, causing numbness, tingling, and discomfort.

Who typically suffers from carpal tunnel syndrome?

In general, women seem to suffer from carpal tunnel syndrome at higher rates than men.  The type of occupation can also affect your chances of developing CTS.  For example, those that required to perform repetitive or prolonged wrist activity and flexion will be more prone to CTS, like tennis players or typists.
Individuals that are suffer from rheumatoid arthritis have also been more susceptible to the symptoms of carpal tunnel.

What are some of the treatment options?

An orthopedic surgeon will work with you to determine the right course of treatment for your specific needs and symptoms.  Typically, non-surgical treatments can reduce the symptoms of CTS.  They will recommend bracing your wrist, modifying your activities, taking over-the-counter medications, and doing physical therapy to help with the pain.   For more intense cases, they may recommend steroid injections to the area to alleviate discomfort and sensations.

Is surgery a treatment option?

In most cases of carpal tunnel syndrome, the doctors do not typically look at surgical routes for the treatment plan.  However, in more advanced cases that are not responding to the other treatment options may be considered for surgical treatments.  Carpal tunnel release surgery is one of the most common surgeries to treat this issue.  A surgeon will divide the ligament in your hand, which will open the tunnel and allow there to be more room for the median nerve.  This will alleviate pressure on the nearby ligaments and muscles.

These are a few things you should understand about carpal tunnel syndrome, its causes, symptoms, and treatments.  If you are experiencing pain in your hand related to overuse or repetitive movements, you should talk with an orthopedic surgeon in Deland.  Contact the experts at Florida Bone and Joint to schedule your appointment today.