Use our convenient online scheduler to book an appointment now.
If you’ve been suffering from numbness, pain, weakness, or tingling in your hand or forearm, your hand specialist may diagnose carpal tunnel syndrome, a condition that affects up to ten million Americans.
Carpal tunnel syndrome is caused by pressure on the median nerve that runs from the forearm through the wrist to the hand by the narrowing of the carpal tunnel it passes through. Left untreated, carpal tunnel syndrome will worsen over time and can lead to permanent nerve and muscle damage and dysfunction of the hand. It can also interfere with daily activities and sleep. Occupational therapy and other treatments may be prescribed if you are diagnosed with it. But what can you expect from carpal tunnel treatment? The hand experts at Town Center Orthopaedics explain what you need to know.
After your diagnosis, your hand doctor will probably pursue non-surgical treatments first if your symptoms are mild or if the condition is still in an early stage.
Non-surgical treatments include:
Your hand specialist may also recommend physical and occupational therapy exercises to help relieve pressure on the medium nerve, such as:
These exercises are usually performed for four to six weeks. Unfortunately, there are times when these non-surgical treatments aren’t enough to stop the damage and progression or give relief from carpal tunnel symptoms. In those instances, surgery and additional physical and occupational therapy are recommended.
Carpal tunnel release surgery opens the carpal tunnel to relieve pressure on the median nerve. The carpal tunnel is the space formed by the wrist bones and transverse carpal ligament which allows nerves to pass from the forearm to the fingers. The surgeon cuts through the ligament to eliminate pressure on the median nerve.
There are two types of carpal tunnel surgery:
Both surgeries are usually performed on an outpatient basis so that you can return home afterward.
After surgery, recovery takes from a few days to a few months. You will probably wear a heavy bandage or a splint for one to two weeks. Then, if needed, you may receive occupational and physical therapy two to four weeks after surgery to ensure proper healing and strengthening of the tissues of the hand and wrist.
Therapy includes many of the exercises for carpal tunnel mentioned earlier, along with:
Occupational therapy also provides education on ways to avoid re-injury, such as developing good posture and mobility habits and making modifications to your workstation.
If you’re experiencing tingling, pain, or numbness in your hands or wrist, please don’t wait to see one of our hand specialists at Town Center Orthopaedics. The symptoms won’t go away on their own, and the damage will continue to progress. Call (517) 307- 4985 or request an appointment online so that we can discuss your treatment plan and get you back to functioning normally and living life pain-free.
TCO provides patients with orthopedic problems the trusted resources and patient-centered advice they need to “Feel Better. Move Better. Be Better.”
© 2024 Town Center Orthopaedics | All Rights Reserved