

Anti-inflammatory medication taken orally or injected into the carpal tunnel space to reduce swelling.Splinting of the hand to minimize wrist movement and compression of the nerves inside the tunnel.Under local anesthesia, endoscopic surgery may be performed in as little as 10 minutes. Surgery may involve an open incision in the palm of the hand over the carpal tunnel, or minimally invasive surgery using endoscopic tools inserted through one or two small incisions in the hand or wrist.

Carpal tunnel surgery to relieve pressure on the median nerve by cutting the ligament that is pressing on it.Physicians in the Hand and Upper Extremity Service, part of the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery at BWH, provide a variety of treatment options for patients experiencing carpal tunnel syndrome, including: Treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome at BWH Causes and symptoms of carpal tunnel syndromeĬarpal tunnel syndrome may be caused by a wide variety of factors, including frequent and repetitive movements, joint or bone disease, hormonal or metabolic changes, and other conditions or injuries to the wrist.īecause the median nerve provides sensory and motor functions to the thumb and three middle fingers, patients with carpal tunnel syndrome may experience pain, weakness, numbness, burning and tingling sensations, and other symptoms.Ĭarpal tunnel syndrome is typically diagnosed using electrodiagnostic tests that involve stimulation of muscles and nerves in the hand. Surgical treatment can also be provided by BWH plastic surgeons in the Department of Plastic Surgery. Patients in the Boston area diagnosed with carpal tunnel syndrome can find comprehensive treatment options, including access to a Boston hand surgeon, at the Hand and Upper Extremity Service at Brigham and Women's Hospital (BWH). If you suffer from symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome, contact a Baylor Scott & White Health orthopedic physician.Carpal tunnel syndrome is a condition in which the median nerve is compressed as it passes from the hand to the wrist through the carpal tunnel, a narrow and rigid passageway of ligament and bones at the base of the hand. With the Manos method, both wrists can be done at the same time, as opposed to traditional open surgery, where they have to be done one at a time, spaced weeks apart. Patients hardly ever need therapy afterward and usually go back to work within three days.” “For the past five years, I’ve been using a minimally invasive surgical system called Manos that my patients love,” said Dr. Surgical options include traditional open surgery, which involves making a one-inch incision in the palm and directly releasing the ligament, or endoscopic surgery. If those methods are ineffective, then ultimately the next option is surgery. Westkaemper advises that steroid injections, stretching exercises or physical therapy could help ease the pain, but notes that being physically fit and active can keep your joints limber and loose. Unfortunately, there are no preventative treatment methods, however, there are ways to relieve the symptoms. Just like your brain needs oxygen, your nerves need oxygen,” said Dr. “When someone has carpal tunnel syndrome, it means there’s so much swelling in the wrist that blood supply to the nerve is getting cut off. “Someone’s anatomy might predispose them to it,” he said. John Westkaemper, MD, an orthopedic surgeon on the medical staff at Baylor Scott & White Medical Center – Irving. “We’re not sure what causes carpal tunnel syndrome or why some people get it and others don’t,” said Dr. However, the root cause is still a mystery. The cause of carpal tunnel is thought to come from an injury, a disease or even a simple repetitive motion, such as frequent keyboard use or playing an instrument.

With this, you might also experience pain between the wrist and the elbow.Ĭarpal tunnel syndrome is an inflammation of the tendons within the carpal tunnel (on the palm side of your hand), which puts excess pressure on a nerve. If you’re experiencing tingling, numbness or weakness in the hand, thumb or first three fingers, this could be a sign of carpal tunnel syndrome.
