Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is a condition characterized by numbness, tingling, weakness, or pain in the hand and wrist. It occurs when the median nerve, which runs from the forearm into the palm of the hand, becomes compressed or squeezed at the wrist within the carpal tunnel—a narrow passageway made up of bones and ligaments. This compression can be due to various factors such as repetitive motions, injury, pregnancy, or certain medical conditions like arthritis.
Conservative Options that Your Doctor may Recommend
Rest and Modification of Activities: Avoiding activities that aggravate symptoms, particularly repetitive hand movements, can help alleviate symptoms.
Wrist Splinting: Wearing a orthosis at night can help keep the wrist in a neutral position and reduce pressure on the median nerve, relieving symptoms during sleep.
Hand Therapy: Therapeutic exercises focusing on strengthening and stretching the muscles of the hand, wrist, and forearm can improve symptoms and prevent recurrence. Also may involve use of modalities like Ultrasound, TENS , Have to decrease pain, Kinsiotaping techniques for decreasing pain. Hand therapy may also involve ergonomic recommendations to modify the environment or the devices used to prevent further compression of the median nerve.
Anti-inflammatory Medications: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) may be prescribed to reduce inflammation and alleviate pain.
Corticosteroid Injections: Injections of corticosteroids into the carpal tunnel can help reduce inflammation and provide temporary relief from symptoms.
Surgical Options:
Carpal Tunnel Release Surgery: If conservative treatments fail to provide relief, carpal tunnel release surgery may be recommended by your Hand surgeon/Doctor. This procedure involves cutting the ligament that forms the roof of the carpal tunnel to relieve pressure on the median nerve. It can be performed through traditional open surgery or endoscopic surgery. Your Doctor can advise you about the various options and what is right for you.
Hand Therapy:
After surgery, hand therapy can play a crucial role in rehabilitation and optimizing recovery. Your Doctor will refer you to Hand Therapy if you are experiencing pain and not able to use your hand after surgery. This may involve:
Range of Motion Exercises: Gentle exercises to restore normal movement of the fingers, hand, and wrist.
Strengthening Exercises: Gradual strengthening exercises to rebuild muscle strength and endurance.
Scar Management: Techniques to minimize scar tissue formation and improve the appearance and flexibility of the surgical incision.
Sensory Re-education: Activities to help regain normal sensation in the affected hand and fingers.
Activity Modification: Guidance on ergonomics and proper hand positioning to prevent re-injury and reduce the risk of recurrent symptoms.
Education: Providing information on proper hand and wrist care, ergonomic principles, and strategies to prevent future problems.
Overall, a combination of conservative treatments, surgical intervention when necessary(MD Decision), and comprehensive hand therapy can effectively manage carpal tunnel syndrome, alleviate symptoms, and restore function and quality of life for individuals affected by this condition. It's important for individuals to work closely with their healthcare providers to develop a personalized treatment plan tailored to their specific needs and circumstances.