Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Specialist

What are the symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome?

When you have carpal tunnel syndrome, it typically causes mild symptoms at first, such as numbness that affects certain fingers from time to time. You’ll usually have these symptoms in your index and middle fingers, as well as your thumb, but you might also have numbness in your ring finger. These symptoms might also affect your wrist and arm. When you have carpal tunnel symptoms, they tend to flare up when you’re holding or gripping objects. If your muscles become weak, you might end up dropping these objects.

What causes carpal tunnel syndrome?

You can get carpal tunnel syndrome when you have pressure on your median nerve, which extends from your lower arm to your wrist and hand. This pressure can result from the following:

• Injuries to this part of your body, such as wrist fractures
• Arthritis and other conditions that affect your joints
• Smaller carpal tunnels in your wrist
• Diabetes and other conditions that can damage your nerves
• Pregnancy, menopause, or other conditions that cause you to retain fluid

What are treatments for carpal tunnel syndrome?

Dr. Bennett will have you try nonsurgical treatments for carpal tunnel syndrome to see if they relieve your symptoms. These options typically include:

• Wrist splints to relieve tingling
• Over-the-counter pain relievers that reduce inflammation
• Corticosteroid injections to reduce inflammation
• Short breaks when doing tasks that require you to use your hands and fingers
• Maintain a healthy weight
• Do exercises involving your wrist and hands, such as rotating your wrist and stretching your fingers

What surgical options are available for carpal tunnel syndrome?

Dr. Bennett might recommend surgery for carpal tunnel syndrome if you have severe symptoms that interfere with daily activities and nonsurgical treatments haven’t worked. He’ll discuss your options and help you decide which procedure might be more effective for relieving your symptoms. Surgical options for carpal tunnel syndrome include:

• Endoscopic surgery that involves using a small camera and surgical instruments to sever the ligament that’s putting pressure on your median nerve
• Open surgery that involves going through your palm to cut the ligament that’s affecting your median nerve

Related Videos:

• Carpal Tunnel Treatments
• Treating Carpal Tunnel and Hand & Wrist Fractures
• Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Treatment Options

If you need treatment for carpal tunnel syndrome, please contact J. Michael Bennett, MD, PA to make an appointment.