Carpal Tunnel Relief Techniques

The carpal tunnel is a passageway on the palm side of the wrist. Its job is to protect the main nerve, also known as the median nerve, and the tendons that control the bending of the fingers. Once the carpal tunnel becomes damaged, pressure is placed on the nerves and tendons, resulting in numbness and tingling in the hand and fingers, pain and weakness in the hand and wrist. There are a variety of techniques and treatment options to help relieve these symptoms.

Goal of Treatment

A doctor's goal is to reduce any swelling or pressure on the main nerve, which will relieve the pain. For many who develop carpal tunnel syndrome, the following techniques help to completely relieve their symptoms and restore normal hand and wrist function.

Wear a Splint

Wearing a hand splint or brace on the affected hand helps keeps the hand and wrist in a neutral position, reducing the amount of pressure placed on the main nerve. When worn at night, it helps relieve typical nighttime symptoms such as tingling and numbness, though it is effective when worn during the day as well. For some patients, wearing the splint can completely relieve their symptoms. This is generally the first technique used upon diagnosis.

Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs)

Medications like aspirin and ibuprofen help relive pain caused by the swelling of carpal tunnel syndrome. They may even help in reducing the swelling. These are generally used in combination with other non-surgical relief techniques, but they are not effective for those who do not experience pain or for those who suffer from tingling and numbness.

Cortisone Injections

Injections of a steroid such as cortisone may help provide pain relief for some patients who have not had success with a splint and NSAIDs. It is possible for relief to last for six months or more. However, if the symptoms return, another injection may be received but it cannot be any sooner than six weeks from the date of the last injection.

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