Carpal tunnel syndrome
What is Carpal tunnel syndrome?
Carpal tunnel happens when the carpal tunnel swells and pinches on one of the nerves (median nerve) in the wrist.
It causes tingling, numbness, pain in your wrist and fingers.
What are the symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome?
Symptoms are ache or pain in the fingers, or arm.
Tingling, pins and needles, numbness in the hand or fingers.
Difficulty grasping objects.
Thumb feels weak.
What are the risk factors?
You are at risk if you are
Work or have hobbies where you repeatedly bend your wrist or grip like working with vibrating tools, typing
Illnesses like arthritis, diabetes, Thyroid problems
Previous wrist injury
What should I do if I have carpal tunnel syndrome symptoms?
Consult your healthcare provider.
How can my healthcare provider help me?Your healthcare provider will talk to you about your symptoms, perform a physical exam.
Your healthcare provider might order an x-ray or ultrasound. Sometimes tests are done to assess nerve function.
How is carpal tunnel syndrome treated?
Your healthcare provider may recommend medicines, wrist splint, injections around the nerve, surgery.
Self-help is for mild symptoms only. Consult a healthcare provider if your symptoms do not get better.
Wear a wrist splint.
A wrist splint is something you wear on your hand to keep your wrist straight. It helps to relieve pressure on the nerve.
You wear it at night while you sleep. You'll have to wear a splint for at least 4 weeks before you start to feel better.
You can buy wrist splints online or from pharmacies.
Stop or cut down on activities that may be causing carpal tunnel syndrome.
Stop or cut down on anything that causes you to frequently bend your wrist or grip hard, such as using vibrating tools for work, playing an instrument, typing.
Medicines to relieve pain
Painkillers like Tylenol or Ibuprofen may offer short-term relief from carpal tunnel pain.
But there's little evidence to say they can treat the cause of CTS, so it's important not to rely on them.
Consult your healthcare provider for exercises.