Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) happens when the median nerve in the wrist gets squeezed or pressed. This nerve helps us feel things on the palm, tip of our thumb, and fingers, except the little finger. When this nerve is squeezed, it can make our hand and wrist feel tingly, numb, weak, or painful. Different things like doing the same hand movements a lot, health issues like arthritis, or wrist injuries can lead to CTS. It can hurt a lot and make it hard to do regular things. Treatments are aimed at easing the symptoms and making our hands work better.
Treatment of Carpel Tunnel Syndrome:
Carpel tunnel syndrome treatments include the following:
Carpel tunnel syndrome treatments include the following:
In the early stages, simple things that we can do to make the problem go away are:
- Taking frequent breaks: Giving regular rests to our hands during activities can reduce strain.
- Avoiding straining activities: Activities that worsen symptoms should be avoided or modified to lessen pressure on the wrist.
- Applying cold packs: Cold compresses can aid in reducing swelling and discomfort.
For cases diagnosed early, non-surgical methods are often recommended:
- Wrist splinting: Wearing a splint to immobilise the wrist during sleep can alleviate nighttime symptoms of numbness and tingling. We can also benefit from wearing a splint during the day. For a pregnant lady, nighttime splinting may be a good option.
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs): Over-the-counter drugs like ibuprofen may provide short-term relief from CTS-related pain, although they don't treat the condition directly. However, there is no evidence that these drugs improve carpal tunnel syndrome.
- Corticosteroids: Injections of corticosteroids into the carpal tunnel can decrease swelling and alleviate pain. Sometimes, ultrasound is used to guide these injections, ensuring more accuracy.
If CTS stems from conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, treating the underlying condition may alleviate the symptoms of the disease, although this approach lacks conclusive evidence.
- Surgery: Surgery may be an appropriate option if symptoms are severe or if an individual does not respond to other treatments. The objective of surgery for Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is to reduce the pressure on the median nerve by cutting the ligament that's pressing against it. There are two different techniques to perform surgery. Surgical options include endoscopic surgery, a minimally invasive procedure using a small camera. A tiny incision is made on the palm or wrist to visualise and cut the pressing ligament. Alternatively, open surgery involves a palm incision to access and release the nerve. Even though it's a bit more invasive, this surgery effectively helps ease the pressure on the median nerve when symptoms continue despite trying other treatments.