Carpal Tunnel

What is carpal tunnel?

The carpal tunnel is an anatomical feature in your wrist. It’s a narrow channel that runs from the base of your hand to the lower part of your forearm. The median nerve, which controls the sense of touch and the fine movements of your thumb and three of your fingers, runs through the channel along with several tendons. 

Carpal tunnel syndrome, often shortened to “carpal tunnel,” happens when swelling or tissue damage places pressure on the median nerve. When this happens, you can have symptoms in your hand and up the arm to your shoulder. Often the patients experience night pain and numbness in part of the hand.

Am I at risk of getting carpal tunnel syndrome?

There are lots of injuries, behaviors, and conditions that can lead to carpal tunnel syndrome. You might be more prone to carpal tunnel syndrome because of:

• Repeated wrist movements 
• Forceful wrist movements
• Arthritis
• Hormone changes during pregnancy
• Diabetes

Having a naturally narrower carpal tunnel can also increase your risk of getting carpal tunnel syndrome from any cause. 

How do I know if I have carpal tunnel syndrome?

The symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome are unmistakable. They tend to appear gradually over time as the underlying issue worsens. At first, they might come and go intermittently; without treatment, they become constant. Soon, fine finger movements become increasingly difficult and weakness can occur. 

Symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome usually start as numbness, pain, or tingling in your hand. Sometimes, those sensations radiate up your arm. If you shake or flex your wrist, you might experience some temporary relief. 

When you come to Twin Palm Orthopedics with symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome, the team examines your hands and wrists and asks you to make specific movements with them. They might also use X-ray imaging, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans, or nerve conduction tests (EMG) to evaluate your condition more closely. 

What are my treatment options for carpal tunnel?

Twin Palm Orthopedics treats your carpal tunnel syndrome with an individualized plan according to its severity. They start with conservative treatments and progress to surgery if you don’t experience significant relief without it. 

Your treatment plan might involve:

• Resting your wrist
• Cortisone injections
• Lidocaine injections
• A nighttime wrist brace
• A daytime wrist splint

To relieve carpal tunnel syndrome with surgery, the Twin Palm Orthopedics team makes an incision in the roof of the tunnel for access to the carpal ligament. Then, they release the ligament to eliminate pressure on the underlying median nerve. 

Carpal tunnel release surgery is a minimally invasive surgery using an endoscope and smaller incisions than open surgery. 

Wrist pain and numbness are typically an indication of carpal tunnel syndrome. Schedule a carpal tunnel evaluation by phone or request one online at Twin Palm Orthopedics today.