What is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?
Carpal tunnel syndrome can cause discomfort, pain, numbness, and tingling in the affected hand. This syndrome is created by pressure on the median nerve as it courses through the carpal canal. The carpal canal is a rigid tunnel in the center of the wrist formed by the carpal bones of the hand and a strong ligament called the transverse carpal ligament. This canal is shared by the flexor tendons traveling from the forearm into the hand. When swelling occurs in this canal, pressure can compress the median nerve and cause symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome. There can be many causes of swelling in the carpal canal ranging from heredity, thyroid problems, fractures, diabetes and fluid retention during pregnancy. Many of the symptoms typically occur at night and are made worse by repetitive hand movements such as grasping or squeezing. Many times the exact cause of swelling is unclear.
Treatment Options
Treatment includes nonsurgical and surgical options. Nonsurgical treatment options typically include behavioral modifications such as limiting activities that may be causing symptoms and taking frequent breaks from repetitive tasks. Dr. Fall may advise wearing a wrist splint to keep your wrist straight or prescribe anti-inflammatory medications to relieve pain and reduce inflammation. Surgical treatments relieve symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome by cutting the strong transverse carpal ligament which forms part of the carpal canal. By cutting this ligament, the canal is allowed to expand and relieves the constriction, allowing normal nerve function to return. Two of the most common techniques used to perform this surgery are the open and endoscopic approaches. Both techniques are effective and cut the transverse ligament to relieve symptoms, but the endoscopic approach typically results in less postoperative pain, a faster recovery time, and a virtually undetectable surgical scar.
Dr. Fall can perform these procedures right in our Ashland clinic or at Tamarack Health. Call our office for more information.
