Carpal tunnel is progressive condition in which one of the major nerves to the hand, the median nerve, is squeezed or compressed. This can cause a multitude of symptoms that could worsen over time, especially if left untreated.

Boston Hand to Shoulder treats patients with carpal tunnel through several types of treatments, depending on the severity of their condition. If you are suffering from carpal tunnel, make an appointment with one of our hand specialists today.

Symptoms of Carpal Tunnel

Treatment options for Dupuytren’s contracture vary depending on the severity of care needed to reduce symptoms. At Boston Hand to Shoulder, our hand care specialists will determine what type of treatment works best for your hand’s condition.

Carpal tunnel symptoms include:

  • Numbness, tingling, burning, and pain in the thumb, index, middle, and/or ring fingers. Often described as a "pins-and-needles" feeling.
  • Weakness or clumsiness in motor skills. You may notice this as a tendency to drop objects.
  • Swelling or sensation of tightness in fingers
  • Worsening symptoms based on certain activities, such as prolonged gripping, repetitive hand movements, or positions that bend the wrist

With carpal tunnel, experiencing symptoms at night is very common. Many people sleep with bent wrists, exacerbating the symptoms.

Causes of Carpal Tunnel

The causes of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) are not easy to determine, as it can result from several factors that increase pressure on the median nerve and tendons. However, there are some risk factors that could contribute to carpal tunnel syndrome over time, including:

  • Trauma or injury to the wrist
  • Inflammation, including from conditions that cause inflammation, such as rheumatoid arthritis or tendonitis
  • Incorrect hand positioning that puts extra strain on the wrist
  • Repetitive hand movements
  • Workplace factors
  • Obesity
  • Medical conditions, including pregnancy, diabetes, arthritis
  • Genetics, which could make some people prone to carpal tunnel syndrome

Being aware of risk factors relating to CTS helps you take preventative measures where possible to help reduce the chances of carpal tunnel, or worsening symptoms, over time.

Treatment for Carpal Tunnel

Treatment for carpal tunnel syndrome depends on the symptoms you have and how much it has progressed. Always consult with a hand specialist before undergoing any treatments for carpal tunnel to ensure that it is the most effective treatment for your symptoms.

Splints

Splints are one non-invasive way to treat and manage symptoms of carpal tunnel, especially in the earlier stages. When using a splint, the wrist is stabilized, reducing pressure on the median nerve. They can also help alleviate pain, tingling, or numbness during times when the symptoms often worsen, such as at nighttime or during certain activities. Your hand doctor will be able to assess your symptoms to determine if a splint is necessary to treat your carpal tunnel. From there, you may get either an over-the-counter splint or a custom one, made to fit your hand and wrist.

Medications

Medications can help reduce pain and inflammation associated with carpal tunnel. While medications cannot treat the cause of CTS, they can provide temporary relief, which can, in turn, help reduce the risk of worsening symptoms due to strain or improper movement.

There are several medications that a hand specialist might recommend treating carpal tunnel with, including NSAIDs (such as ibuprofen) of inflammation, corticosteroids (such as cortisone injections), or pain relievers (such as Tylenol). Always consult with your doctor before beginning any type of medication to treat CTS.

Cortisone Injections

Cortisone injections are one of the most common treatments for carpal tunnel syndrome, as well as numerous other hand and wrist injuries/conditions. Patients with moderate to severe symptoms of CTS may receive cortisone injections, administered by a specialized hand doctor. These injections relieve inflammation to reduce swelling and pressure on the median nerve.

Reduced Repetitive Motion

In many cases of CTS, repetitive motions of the wrist or hand contribute heavily to increased symptoms of carpal tunnel. These repetitive hand movements can be anything from typing to factory work, such as experiencing excessive vibrations from using tools at work. Repetitive hand motions that cause CTS are often related to activities that patients do on a regular basis or their work. With both activities and work, the same motions repeated day after day for long periods of time can contribute to stress and pressure on the median nerve. In those cases, reducing repetitive motion where possible can help alleviate symptoms of CTS and prevent them from worsening.

Physical Therapy

Another non-invasive treatment for carpal tunnel is physical therapy, in which targeted techniques are used to decrease pain and swelling while enhancing strength, flexibility, and range of motion. While physical therapy prevents worsening symptoms, it may not resolve severe cases where surgery is needed. For mild cases, your hand specialist may recommend physical therapy to treat CTS.

Surgery

Surgery is only needed for severe cases of carpal tunnel syndrome. Non-surgical treatments are almost always tried first before resulting in surgery to treat CTS. However, evidence of nerve damage or significant impacts on quality of life due to symptoms of CTS may result in the need for a surgical procedure. In every case of CTS, your hand doctor will know best which treatment to recommend.

How to Avoid Carpal Tunnel

Carpal tunnel may not always be completely avoidable. But, there are practices patients can use to help prevent symptoms of CTS or prevent their existing symptoms from worsening. Ways to help prevent carpal tunnel include:

  • Taking frequent breaks from repetitive motions to let your hands and wrist rest
  • Practicing proper ergonomics, including using an ergonomic keyboard when typing
  • Maintaining a neutral wrist position
  • Improving posture
  • Strengthening and stretching hands and wrist
  • Keeping hands warm
  • Maintaining a healthy lifestyle
  • Staying hydrated
  • Monitoring early symptoms

Your hand specialist may recommend additional best practices to use throughout daily life to prevent worsening symptoms of carpal tunnel.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Long Is Recovery from Carpal Tunnel Surgery?

Recovery from carpal tunnel surgery depends on the extensive nature of the procedure. The average time that it typically takes to recover from carpal tunnel surgery is anywhere from a few weeks to a few months. In minor cases, it may only take a few days to recover. Your hand surgeon will provide you with the best estimate of how long the recovery time will take for carpal tunnel surgery.

Is Carpal Tunnel a Disability?

Carpal tunnel syndrome that is severe enough to impact your quality of life or ability to work can be classified as a disability. Those suffering from severe long-term effects of carpal tunnel may be able to apply for disability benefits. However, each case is different.

Does Carpal Tunnel Cause Elbow Pain?

Carpal tunnel can cause elbow pain when the compressed median nerve radiates pain up the arm to the elbow. The nerves in the arm and wrist share pathways. Those suffering from elbow pain may also be experiencing cubital tunnel syndrome.

How Do I Sleep with Carpal Tunnel?

Avoid positions that could put your arm and wrist at risk of bending into an improper position. Sleeping with a neutral wrist is the best way to help prevent symptoms of carpal tunnel. Side sleepers are more likely to feel the effects of carpal tunnel, as they are more likely to bend the wrist and arm or round the shoulder when sleeping. Sleeping on your back is ideal for helping reduce carpal tunnel.

What Kind of Doctor Treats Carpal Tunnel?

Orthopedic hand specialists are the best doctors to treat carpal tunnel syndrome at all stages. Our hand specialists at Boston Hand to Shoulder have the expertise and experience to examine and treat your carpal tunnel syndrome, as well as other hand, wrist, arm, and shoulder injuries. Make an appointment today to address your CTS symptoms.