Carpal tunnel has become increasingly more relevant as technology advances and is currently estimated to impact more than 8 million individuals annually. While the symptoms may begin as minor inconveniences in your day-to-day activities – subtle numbness and tingling relieved by stretching or shaking out your hand or wrist – it can mature into something disruptive. Dr. Tamai understands the significance of this disruption in your daily activities and desires relief from your symptoms.
What is Carpal Tunnel
Carpal tunnel is the result of median nerve compression. The median nerve runs from the forearm into the palm of the hand and is responsible for providing feeling to the palm and four of the five fingers. Symptoms can begin due to overuse or improper use of the hand, though health problems such as diabetes, arthritis, and some autoimmune deficiencies can increase the likelihood that you will suffer from carpal tunnel.
Do You Suffer from Carpal Tunnel?
Carpal tunnel symptoms can range from burning, tingling, and itching numbness in parts of your hand to a weakness or difficulty holding things. With carpal tunnel, patients may also notice their pain radiating from their hand into the forearm. To better understand the severity of the damage to your median nerve, your physician may request a nerve test be performed.
Treatment Options
Carpal tunnel can be treated in a variety of ways. Non-surgical treatment may include a rotation of ice, heat, rest, exercise, and bracing your wrist. It may also benefit you to evaluate your daily activities to determine where performance changes might minimize your symptoms. Do you type your keyboard with passion where soft use might accomplish the same purpose? Retraining yourself to perform activities in a manner that is less likely to compress your median nerve may provide you some relief.
Carpal tunnel is known to be the second most common musculoskeletal surgery and more than 230,000 procedures are performed annually to intervene on damage from carpal tunnel. Carpal tunnel release surgery is performed as a preventative measure to preserve the nerves in the wrist and hand.
Whether surgical or non-surgical treatment is needed to address pain caused by carpal tunnel is a decision to make with a physician who has your best interests in mind. Dr. Tamai values his patients and encourages their active and knowledgeable involvement regarding their health care. Please consider making an appointment to assess your treatment options today!
