Carpal Tunnel Resources
Conservative Treatment and CTS
Expert Surgical CareMinimally Invasive Surgery
Personalized Conservative Treatment
Not all patients will require surgery, and the treatment plan is tailored to the individual depending on the underlying cause of CTS.
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) may ease CTS that has been present for a short time or due to strenuous activity but are not recommended for long-term use, as the nerve damage is likely still occurring despite the relief in symptoms.
- Corticosteroids, such as prednisone, or lidocaine can be injected directly into the wrist or taken by mouth (in the case of prednisone) to relieve pressure on the median nerve and provides temporary relief to those with mild or intermittent symptoms. Injections should not be done repeatedly, however.
- Stretching and strengthening exercises can be performed with supervision from a trained OT/PT.
- Bracing or splinting can be used in conjunction with other treatment options, especially at night.
These treatment options target the symptoms of CTS, but only surgery targets the underlying cause of the entrapment neuropathy.
More About Carpal Tunnel Resources
CTS is a condition that causes numbness, tingling, and other symptoms in the hand and arm, especially in the thumb, index finger, middle finger, and thumb-side of the middle finger. It is caused by compression of the median nerve – a bundle made of both sensory and motor nerves – in the carpal tunnel, a narrow passageway on the palm side of your wrist.
The floor and sides of the tunnel are formed by small wrist bones called the carpal bones, through which the median nerve and finger tendons travel. The roof of the carpal tunnel is made up of the transverse carpal ligament, and tissues that surround the tendons - the synovium - may swell or become inflamed with time or injury, or the ligament itself may lose water and become more rigid. This swelling in the already narrow canal puts abnormal pressure on the median nerve that results in pain, numbness, tingling, or even weakness in the hand.
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