Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Specialist

What is carpal tunnel syndrome?

Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is a nerve pain condition that involves the median nerve and the carpal tunnel in your wrist.

Your median nerve is the primary nerve in your hand. It runs from your forearm into the palm of your hand through the carpal tunnel — a small, rigid opening in your wrist.

Compression or irritation of the median nerve as it passes through the carpal tunnel causes carpal tunnel syndrome. 

What are the symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome?

Initially, your CTS symptoms may only include tingling and numbness when you first wake up in the morning. These symptoms go away with a few shakes of your hand. However, over time your symptoms may last longer or occur at other times when your wrist is in a bent position, like holding onto the steering wheel when you drive.

Your carpal tunnel syndrome may weaken your grip, making it harder for you to turn a doorknob or hold your cup of coffee. You may also feel hand pain or pain that travels into your forearm. 

Some people even lose the ability to feel cold or hot sensations with CTS.

When left untreated, the constant compression of the nerve can lead to permanent nerve damage.

What causes carpal tunnel syndrome?

Carpal tunnel syndrome develops from a combination of factors that usually involve the carpal tunnel. Common causes include:

• Injury to the wrist that causes swelling
• Rheumatoid arthritis — swelling and inflammation of the joints
• Heredity — small carpal tunnel
• Pregnancy
• Diabetes
• Thyroid problems

Activities that require repetitive use of your fingers or wrist may also irritate the structures that make up the carpal tunnel, placing you at risk of developing CTS. 

How is carpal tunnel syndrome treated?

The Johnston Pain Management, P.A., team specializes in pain management for carpal tunnel syndrome. They customize your treatment plan based on the severity of your symptoms. Your plan may include:

• Over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers
• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
• Wrist splint
• Physical therapy
• Steroid injections

When medical interventions fail to ease your CTS symptoms, the team may recommend carpal tunnel release surgery. Your surgeon opens the carpal tunnel during this surgery, alleviating the nerve compression that causes symptoms. 

For help managing your carpal tunnel syndrome, call Johnston Pain Management, P.A, or schedule an appointment online today.