Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

What is it?

Carpal tunnel syndrome is a hand condition of added pressure on the median nerve at the wrist. There is an area called the carpal tunnel where the median nerve and tendons enter the hand as they travel from the forearm. If swelling or pressure builds in the carpal tunnel, the nerve may be afflicted causing pain and numbness.

Typical Symptoms

Pain, tingling, numbness in the thumb, index, middle and ring fingers. Patients may indicate a weaker hand, the tendency to drop objects or not be able to hold objects for an extended time. Patients often wake up at night with pain or numbness and they report similar symptoms while holding up a telephone receiver to their ear, driving, etc.

Treatment

In some cases, changing hand usage or splinting the wrist may relieve symptoms and reduce swelling in the carpal tunnel. Steroid injections may also reduce inflammation around the nerve. When the condition is more severe, surgery may be needed to create more space for the nerve.

Surgical Recovery

Routine activities: Three to six weeks.