Treatment of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

There are a variety of treatment options for carpal tunnel syndrome. These include surgery, over-the-counter medications, and traction devices. In some cases, a steroid injection may be necessary. However, these treatments are not for everyone. You should consult your doctor before undergoing any of them.

Surgical treatment

Surgical treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome can help to relieve symptoms of the disorder. It can also help to prevent the condition from worsening. Although the surgery may not completely eliminate symptoms, it can relieve pain, numbness, and tingling. Generally, the symptoms will subside in a few weeks to months. However, there are a few risks to consider before undergoing surgery.

Surgery may be indicated in patients who have failed nonsurgical treatment. Early surgery may be necessary to release the carpal tunnel and avoid further symptoms. There are various surgical techniques that can be used to release the carpal tunnel. Patients may receive oral steroids and ultrasound before surgery. However, heat therapy is not recommended.

Over-the-counter meds

While home remedies may seem like a good idea, you need to see a doctor to get the proper diagnosis and treatment for carpal tunnel syndrome. The symptoms of the disorder can be severe and interfere with your daily life. If you suspect you have carpal tunnel syndrome, your doctor can prescribe medications, corticosteroid injections, or even surgery. A diagnosis is vital to preventing further nerve damage.

The condition is caused by irritation and thickening of the tendons. These can irritate the nerve, causing it to become narrower and painful. This can lead to numbness and pain in the fingers, wrist, and forearm. The pain and numbness can even cause you to drop objects or suffer from insomnia. Carpal tunnel syndrome is not curable, but treatment for this disorder can restore some function to your hand.

Traction device

A carpal tunnel traction device works by applying controlled traction to the wrist. This therapy is ideal for those with carpal tunnel syndrome because it can be done from home without involving medical personnel. Patients can use the device for ten minutes at a time. This treatment option will prevent the patient from taking any long-term medication, and will help them return to normal daily activities.

Patients who use a traction device experience reduced symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome. This treatment helps relieve the pressure on the median nerve, and improves hand function. If mechanical traction is not effective, surgical procedures can be considered.

Corticosteroid injections

The use of corticosteroid injections in patients with carpal tunnel syndrome may help alleviate symptoms and reduce the likelihood of future complications. These injections may help reduce pain and inflammation of the carpal tunnel and median nerve. However, there are some caveats to this treatment.

Patients should first consult a doctor before undergoing an injection. If the corticosteroid injection fails, a different treatment may be necessary. Corticosteroid injections are associated with a worse outcome when the patient has a diagnosis of diabetes mellitus, a high pre-injection score on the Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire, or a higher pre-injection electrodiagnostic test result. However, these results are inconsistent among different studies.

While corticosteroid injections are safe and effective, not all patients are eligible. In addition to carpal tunnel syndrome, cortisone shots are recommended for a variety of ailments, including arthritis, trigger finger, tendonitis, and tennis elbow.