Carpal Tunnel Diagnosis
Carpal tunnel syndrome happens when the median nerve gets compressed by the tendons that go through the carpal tunnel in your wrist. This will likely cause pain, numbness, tingling, and weakness in your hand.
In order to accurately diagnose CTS, your specialist will:
- Ask about your symptoms and medical history to check for any preexisting conditions that might contribute to carpal tunnel syndrome.
- Conduct a physical exam.
- Order or perform different diagnostic tests to assess the condition of your wrist, tendons, and median nerve. These might include particular movements, a nerve conduction study, ultrasounds, X-rays, among others.
Non-Surgical Treatment Options for Carpal Tunnel Release
When you first get to your orthopedic specialist, after careful examination and diagnosis, you will both explore what conservative measures you can take to alleviate your symptoms.
These will either protect or strengthen your wrist in some way:
#1 Wrist Braces or Splints
A wrist brace or splint will help you keep your wrist in a neutral and straight position during key moments of your days, which reduces the pressure on your median nerve. Most doctors will advise you to use it while you sleep or perform repetitive tasks.
If you use it correctly, it will also help you reduce swelling, prevent further damage, and allow you to have a better rest at night.
#2 Routine Modifications
During our daily routines, we engage in several activities that put a lot of strain on our wrists and might worsen CTS. You can start by identifying and reducing repetitive wrist movements, like the ones you perform when typing, cooking, driving, lifting objects, or playing an instrument.
Additionally, if you work remotely or at a desk, making ergonomic adjustments to your work area will be extremely beneficial for your overall health and the recovery of your carpal tunnel syndrome. You can explore options for special keyboards, mouses, or wrist cushions that reduce repetitive impact on your wrists.
#3 Medications
For short-term pain relief, over-the-counter medications can be a great option. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen should help you reduce inflammation and pain. However, keep in mind that these would be masking the pain or managing the symptoms temporarily.
Taking these medications for extended periods of time might result in your body creating resistance against them (so you would have to increase your dosage to achieve the same results), and keep you from seeking medical attention.
#4 Corticosteroid Injections
Corticosteroid injections are used for controlling swelling and its associated pain in different parts of the body. Doctors will usually recommend them if you’re suffering from arthritis, tendonitis, bursitis, and other inflammatory diseases.
While not a definitive solution, steroid injections can help you improve your CTS symptoms, maximize recovery, and provide enhanced comfort while looking for other alternatives.
#5 Physical Therapy and At-Home Exercises
Your orthopedic specialist might refer you to a physical therapist to treat your CTS symptoms. Targeted exercises can help you improve your wrist flexibility and strength, as well as reduce inflammation and nerve compression. Most likely, they will also teach you simpler exercises you can make at home to stretch and improve circulation.
#6 Lifestyle Improvements and Considerations
Our bodies are systems that interconnect and communicate with each other. Most of the time, taking care of underlying or preexisting conditions will help you alleviate new symptoms—even if they seem unrelated at first. For example, managing your weight and quitting smoking could have a positive impact on your CTS ailments.
Other conditions that could exacerbate your carpal tunnel symptoms are:
- Diabetes, as it can cause neuropathy.
- Autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, etc, can cause inflammation in the tissues around the median nerve
- Tendinitis can also increase pression around the carpal tunnel
While not a medical condition in the same way as the above, pregnancy often generates hormonal changes and fluid retention that cause pression on your nerves
Carpal Tunnel Treatment in Georgia
If you seek medical help on time, these measures will probably help you manage your CTS ailments and enjoy hand mobility like before. However, if you still experience persistent pain and numbness, weakness in your hand and fingers, and your evaluations show severe nerve compression, carpal tunnel release surgery might be necessary.
Make sure to keep open communication with your specialist so they can trace your progress and identify when it’s time to explore more complex solutions. If you think you might be suffering from carpal tunnel syndrome, the best thing you can do is set an appointment with a specialist to get a proper diagnosis and learn about your options.
At Ashford Orthopedic Specialists, we are committed to giving you comprehensive treatment that delivers positive results. We will make sure not only to address pain and heal your hand, but to focus on regaining your strength so you can regain mobility.
Welcome to Ashford Orthopedic Specialists, where we are devoted to keeping you strong, one step at a time.
