It may be due to the prevalence of smartphones or perhaps the rise in the work-from-home population that’s accounting for an increase in carpal tunnel syndrome in the country. It affects about 5% of the population and accounts for half a million surgeries every year.
One of the most common hand problems, carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), starts with anatomical pressure on the median nerve by other tissue in the wrist. As pain management specialists, our team at The Woodlands Sports Medicine Centre in The Woodlands and Conroe, Texas can help you with carpal tunnel problems regardless of your state of advancement.
In its early stages, carpal tunnel syndrome responds well to self-care. You may be able to relieve your symptoms and minimize the impact of this troublesome hand condition. Today, we’ll look at how to relieve carpal tunnel syndrome pain at home.
The first indication of median nerve compression is usually a feeling of pins and needles or perhaps lingering numbness. Normally progressing slowly, carpal tunnel syndrome symptoms can build into discomfort, pain, and weakness in your hand, affecting the thumb and first three fingers.
The median nerve supplies sensation and muscle control to these parts of the hands. This nerve travels through the forearm and wrist through a structure of bone and ligament called the carpal tunnel.
When the “roof” of the tunnel on the wrist side collapses, the median nerve becomes irritated and compressed, creating the symptoms you experience. Hand injuries can also cause nerve irritation; in many cases, there’s no single reason why CTS develops.
If your CTS grows from occasional numbness and tingling into active pain, treatment becomes more urgent. Living with the problem for extended periods can lead to permanent nerve damage.
CTS often results from repetitive tasks that stress the wrist and the carpal tunnel structure. This might be from aspects of your job, such as hours spent on a computer or hobbies that run your hands through repeated motions.
If your pain is related to certain tasks, taking frequent breaks is the best place to start. A break of 5 to 15 minutes every hour may break the repetitive strain cycle. Check your workstation ergonomics to tweak your total body posture toward balance.
Ice baths and cold compresses reduce swelling and ease acute pain. Warm water (about 100 degrees Fahrenheit) can soothe your hands, too. However, keep in mind that these are symptom treatments that don’t clear up the underlying problem.
Consumer-strength nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can control both inflammation and pain when used as directed. These, too, treat symptoms and are not a long-term solution due to the side effects of the medications.
While CTS wrist braces don’t work for every patient, this strategy is also not risky. You’ll need to commit to a month of brace use before you can expect symptoms to improve substantially.
We can add physical and occupational therapy to your treatment plan, as well as corticosteroid injections or pills. Building strength in the arm, hand, and wrist can benefit your long-term outlook, while steroids provide temporary but lasting relief from inflammation. When conservative therapies aren’t enough, we may recommend carpal tunnel release surgery.
Contact The Woodlands Sports Medicine Centre at the first sign of CTS symptoms for the quickest pain management and best long-term prognosis. Call our office directly or book an appointment online today.
