About Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Carpal tunnel syndrome is a common condition caused by a pinched nerve in the wrist. Symptoms include numbness, tingling, pain, and/or weakness in your hand, particularly in your thumb and first few fingers.
Causes of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
The carpal tunnel is a narrow passageway in your wrist where nerves and tendons pass through to your hand. If your tendons or tissues become swollen, they compress the median nerve -- the nerve that runs from your forearm into the palm of your hand -- causing carpal tunnel syndrome. You’re more likely to get the condition if you have relatively small carpal tunnels. It can also occur due to a traumatic injury, swollen tendons, fluid retention from pregnancy, or after surgery. People with thyroid issues, rheumatoid arthritis, or diabetes also have an increased risk for developing carpal tunnel syndrome.
When to Seek Treatment for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
If you have tried rest and altering your daily activities, but symptoms persist and interrupt sleep or your daily routine, it may be time to see a hand and wrist specialist. It’s important not to wait too long to get care; carpal tunnel syndrome can lead to permanent numbness and weakness in the hand if left untreated.
Treatments for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Your Duke hand and wrist specialist will perform a physical exam to rule out other wrist conditions with similar symptoms. They may also use tests such as electrodiagnostic studies, which measure electrical activity generated by muscles and nerves, or ultrasound to confirm your diagnosis.
Nonsurgical Treatments
Whenever possible, our hand and wrist specialists use nonsurgical treatments for carpal tunnel syndrome. These may include a wrist brace or splint, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicines (NSAIDs), or steroid injections.
Our hand and wrist care team includes occupational therapists who specialize in treating hand, wrist, and elbow conditions. If you have surgery for carpal tunnel syndrome, you may also work with our occupational therapists to help achieve maximum recovery.
Carpal Tunnel Surgery
Surgery for carpal tunnel syndrome involves cutting the ligament that forms part of the carpal tunnel. This creates a gap that eventually heals with scar tissue, providing a larger space and relieving pressure on the nerve. Where possible, our surgeons perform minimally invasive surgery, which uses very small incisions and tiny instruments to release the carpal tunnel. These procedures are used more commonly than open surgery and result in a quicker recovery, with less pain and scarring.
