Working with your hands day after day can take a toll on them, causing pain, numbness and weakness. Carpal tunnel syndrome is one condition that farmers, truck drivers, factory and construction workers, and others can experience.
This condition is caused by compression of the median nerve located in the wrist. This nerve provides feeling to the thumb, index, middle and part of the ring finger, and also sends signals to the muscles around the base of the thumb. Hand And Wrist Brace
Some causes of carpal tunnel syndrome include medical conditions like arthritis, gout, diabetes, amyloidosis (a build-up of proteins in some organs), infections, masses and severe wrist injuries. Other causes are environmental or workplace conditions that involve forceful and repetitive gripping, and using heavy machinery and vibrating manual tools.
To determine if you have carpal tunnel syndrome, an orthopedic specialist will discuss the history of your symptoms and perform a physical examination of your hands and wrists.
Treatment strategies are divided into nonsurgical or surgical measures. Nonsurgical treatments include wearing a wrist brace during the night and undergoing cortisone injections. Surgical intervention for carpal tunnel syndrome is a carpal tunnel release. The roof of the carpal tunnel is divided which relieves pressure on the median nerve. Surgery may be open or endoscopic.
Both open and endoscopic surgery are outpatient procedures. Endoscopic surgery is minimally invasive. It's performed in an operating room with or without light sedation. After medication is injected to numb the palm and wrist, a small incision is made near the wrist. A tiny camera is inserted through the incision into the carpal tunnel. The surgeon inspects the tunnel and then uses a blade attached to the camera to cut the transverse carpal ligament ― the roof of the tunnel ― to relieve nerve compression.
For the best results after surgery, be sure to consult an orthopedic hand surgeon while numbness and tingling are still intermittent rather than constant.
If you're experiencing symptoms, consult with an orthopedic specialist to determine the best treatment to keep you on the job or get you back to work.
Extra Large Arm Sling Kristin Karim, M.D., is an orthopedic surgeon in Albert Lea, Austin and Rochester, Minnesota.