Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Numb, tingling hands that wake you at night. Caught early, it is very treatable without surgery.
What is going on?
Carpal tunnel syndrome is compression of the median nerve as it passes through a narrow tunnel at your wrist. It produces numbness and tingling in the thumb, index and middle fingers, classically waking you at night and making you shake your hand out. Early on, splinting and activity changes often resolve it. Left long enough, the nerve can be permanently damaged, which is why timing matters.
How WeCare treats it
Treatment starts with a precise diagnosis, then the least invasive option that will actually last. For carpal tunnel syndrome, that typically involves:
- Numbness or tingling in the thumb, index and middle fingers
- Waking at night needing to shake the hand out
- Dropping objects or weak grip
- Symptoms while driving or holding a phone
- Aching into the forearm
In depth
The carpal tunnel is a slim passageway in your wrist that’s formed by small wrist bones (carpals) on the bottom and sides. A strong band of tissue called the transverse carpal ligament covers the roof of the tunnel. These rigid boundaries keep the carpal tunnel from stretching very much. Numbness, tingling, and shooting pain in your hand and arm are signs that you may have carpal tunnel syndrome.
Treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome starts with physical therapy, anti-inflammatory medicines, or wearing a splint or brace. If symptom persists, carpal tunnel steroid injection can be performed. Carpal tunnel surgery will be the last option to pursue if all conservative treatment failed.
At WeCare Medical Specialty Group, our pain management specialist will work closely with orthopedics surgeons to diagnose your problems and root cause and make a personized treatment plan treat your carpal tunnel syndrome.
What causes carpal tunnel syndrome?
Carpal tunnel syndrome occurs when inflammation puts pressure on the median nerve, which runs through the carpal tunnel . The median nerve provides sensation to your thumb, index, middle, and ring fingers.
A combination of factors may cause swelling in the wrist that results in abnormal pressure on the median nerve. Risk factors for carpal tunnel syndrome include:
- Being born with a smaller carpal tunnel
- Nerve-damaging conditions, like diabetes
- Inflammatory conditions, like rheumatoid arthritis
- Having a job or hobby that requires working with vibrating equipment or repetitive wrist flexion may also increase your risk of carpal tunnel syndrome.
What are the symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome?
- Symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome typically begin gradually and may come and go at first. Carpal tunnel syndrome symptoms may include:
- Numbness, tingling, and pain in the thumb, index, middle, and ring fingers
- Shock-like sensations that radiate to your fingers or up your forearm
- Weakness in the hand that may cause you to drop things
As carpal tunnel syndrome progresses, the symptoms may increase in frequency and severity. The pain may be so intense that it wakes you from sleep.
How is carpal tunnel syndrome diagnosed and treated?
First, your doctor will carefully review your symptoms and medical history. We will perform a physical exam and test the feeling and strength in your fingers and hands. We may also take a digital X-ray or perform a nerve conduction study.
With an early diagnosis, many patients find relief from carpal tunnel syndrome without surgery. We may recommend one or more of the following nonsurgical treatments:
- Wearing a splint or brace
If your condition is severe or doesn’t improve with treatment, we may recommend to perform a procedure called carpal tunnel release to relieve pressure on the median nerve.
If you have above symptoms and conditions, WeCare Medical Specialty Group can help you. We have five offices across Northern Jersey. Please call our office at (973)996-2990 or book an appointment online
Questions we hear every day.
Often not, especially when caught early. Splinting, activity change and injection resolve many cases.
Most people sleep with the wrist bent, which increases pressure in the tunnel. A night splint is often the single most effective first step.
Yes. A pinched nerve in the neck can mimic carpal tunnel. A proper exam distinguishes them.
Yes, including workers’ comp cases, which are common with repetitive work.
Ready to be done with it?
Same-week appointments for carpal tunnel syndrome at five New Jersey offices.