Options for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Treatment

There are multiple options for carpal tunnel syndrome treatment. If you believe you are suffering from this condition, it is recommended that you complete an examination with a qualified physician in order to determine which treatment is best suited to your situation. A consultation with one our leading hand specialists, here at the Hand & Wrist Center Los Angeles, will help determine which treatment is correct for your condition.

Non-surgical treatment options for Mild Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome is based on many factors, including its severity, the sought outcome goal, and the patient’s overall medical condition. People, who have mild carpal tunnel syndrome, often complain of numbness and tingling of their hands, which worsens with increased hand activity. People who suffer from mild carpal tunnel syndrome can choose the Non-Surgical Treatment of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome which include:

• Resting the hand and wrist for a period of at least two weeks
• Hand and Wrist splinting: Wrist is splinted in a neutral position during sleep and/or work, such as typing
• Physical Hand Therapy: Hand Massage, therapy, and stretching exercises during work helps to relieve muscle tension and lessen the symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome
• Avoiding repetitive use of hands: Reducing repetitive movement of the wrists helps to reduce swelling around the median nerve in the wrist
• Non-Steroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAID): oral use of anti-inflammatory medications such as Advil, Motrin, and Naprosyn, helps to reduce inflammation in the wrist. People with generalized neuropathy caused by diabetes Mellitus can have partial relief with NSAID
• Chiropractic care
• Alternative methods, such as acupuncture and yoga

Treatment of Moderate to Severe Carpal Tunnel Syndrome:

People with significant carpal tunnel syndrome often complain of constant cramping of their hands, as well as weakness. In more severe cases, they start to lose grip strength and complain that things slip out of their hands unintentionally. Moderate to severe carpal tunnel syndrome is often treated by:

• Steroid injection for treatment of carpal tunnel sydndrome: Injection of corticosteroids in to the wrist and over the median nerve helps not only to reduce median nerve swelling and irritation, but also serves as a way of testing the effectiveness of carpal tunnel surgery. Pregnancy can temporarily cause carpal tunnel syndrome, and thus can be effectively treated with steroid injection
• Surgical Treatment of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome- Carpal tunnel surgery: Carpal tunnel release involves surgically cutting the tight carpal ligament that impinges median nerve at the wrist. This procedure can be performed by either an open carpal tunnel technique, or an endoscopic or mini-scar carpal tunnel technique. In any case, carpal tunnel surgery has been scientifically noted to be the most effective treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome.

Options for Carpal Tunnel Surgery

Carpal tunnel syndrome is commonly treated with a surgical procedure known as carpal tunnel release. In fact, according to the National Institutes of Health, carpal tunnel release is one of the common surgeries performed in the United States. The procedure is recommended for patients who have experienced persistent symptoms for a period of six months or longer and who have not had sufficient improvement with non-surgical treatments.

During the carpal tunnel release surgery, a surgeon carefully cuts the ligament that makes up the roof of the carpal tunnel, making additional room in the passageway and immediately relieving the pressure upon the median nerve.

The procedure can be performed either as an open or endoscopic surgery. Open carpal tunnel surgery consists of making an incision at the base of the palm, which may be up two inches in length. Endoscopic surgery, utilizes a small surgical viewing tool, called an endoscope, to allow a surgeon to see inside the carpal tunnel and perform the same surgery without having to cut the wrist all the way open. This method is less invasive, requires a smaller incision and can make for less pain and scarring and a faster recovery.

Both open and endoscopic carpal tunnel release surgeries can be performed on an outpatient basis. This means the patient can return home on the same day as their carpal tunnel surgery, with no overnight care required.

After time has been allowed for healing, it is recommended that one undergo hand rehabilitation therapy, to rebuild wrist strength.

The Experts in Carpal Tunnel Surgery and Treatment in Los Angeles

If you are suffering from carpal tunnel syndrome or think you may be experiencing early symptoms, you have come to the right place. Our top hand doctors and carpal tunnel surgeons, here at the Hand & Wrist Center Los Angeles, provide some of the best carpal tunnel surgery Los Angeles & Beverly Hills have to offer. Contact our offices today or click here to schedule a consultation.