If you are dealing with the pain of carpal tunnel syndrome, then you are undoubtedly hoping to get relief so that you can function normally again. The pain, tingling, and numb sensations that come with this problem can range from a mild annoyance to debilitating pain. Fortunately, there are many treatments for carpal tunnel syndrome.
Because carpal tunnel syndrome can be related to other conditions, your doctor will likely run tests for conditions like low thyroid function, arthritis, and certain other problems. If you are diagnosed with one of these problems, you’ll need to receive immediate treatment.
If you experience inflammation of the tissues in your wrist, your doctor may prescribe medications like NSAIDS to relieve the swelling. Sometimes reducing the inflammation alone will help diminish the discomfort as the swollen tissues recede from the nerve, leaving it undisturbed.Your doctor will attempt to diagnose the cause of your carpal tunnel syndrome symptoms. By discussing your activities with your doctor, you can determine whether you need to make adjustments in your daily activities in order to help heal the condition. You can also discuss strategies to prevent the condition from recurring.
Your doctor will try to figure out what is causing your carpal tunnel syndrome symptoms. Together you can identify if there are activities you need to avoid or do differently to help you heal. You will also learn how to prevent this problem from recurring. The important thing is to try and prevent permanent nerve damage from occurring.
Provided your symptoms do not indicate a severe problem, your doctor is like to try non-surgical treatments. First, you may need to use a wrist brace to support your wrist in a neutral, stable position and to minimize the pressure on your median nerve. Depending on the severity of your symptoms, you may only need to wear the brace at night. Some people find they achieve more symptom relief if they wear the brace in the day time too.
Unless your symptoms are very severe, your doctor will first try a number of non-surgical treatments to correct the problem. The first step is often a wrist brace, which helps keep your wrist immobile and in a neutral position to avoid pressure on the median nerve. Some people only wear the brace in the night time, while others experience marked relief from pain if they wear it during the day as well.
Corticosteroid injections are another popular treatment for this condition. These shots can provide effective pain relief for many people. However, let your doctor know if you are diabetic. Corticosteroids can affect insulin levels.You will also be advised to avoid certain activities that could be causing or aggravating your symptoms. If you are unable to avoid these tasks completely, you may need to reduce your activity or take frequent breaks to let your wrists heal.
After you’ve been on your treatment routine for several weeks, your doctor may want to follow up with you to check on the progress of your symptoms. If you notice that your painful symptoms are diminishing, chances are you’ll continue with the same treatment regimen. If you are getting worse, you may be referred for further testing; your doctor may want to discuss the possibility of surgery to correct the problem.
The surgery usually solves the problem, but sometimes there is residual numbness or pain due to permanent nerve damage. After surgery, you’ll need to take several weeks off of work to let things heal. If you want to avoid surgery, you may want to ask about exercises and stretches that you can try.
If you prefer to avoid surgery for carpal tunnel syndrome, you can try stretches and exercises to relieve your symptoms. You might also consider enlisting the help of a physical therapist to coach you in additional treatment techniques.