What Is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?
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Do I Have Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?
The most common sign or symptom of carpal tunnel syndrome is the hand “falling asleep” at night while sleeping. Additional symptoms include tingling or numbness in thumb and index and long fingers—it can be some combination of these fingers or just one finger or thumb. A less common symptom is pain in the palm and wrist but no injury to cause the pain. Also, if you are dropping objects, bumping yourself or burning your fingers due to loss of sensation, you may be experiencing symptoms of Carpal Tunnel.
What is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?
Treatment of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Home remedies include taking over the counter anti-inflammatories according to package dosage. Go to your physician if you are still not experiencing relief after a week or two of regularly ingesting either of these. Also, wearing a wrist support splint that keeps your wrist from bending can relieve symptoms. These splints can be purchased at discount stores, pharmacies, grocery stores or online. They resemble a “bowling splint”. Many of these splints are worn at night while sleeping.
Sometimes these symptoms are transient meaning that they come and go. Other times these symptoms become chronic meaning have never gone away. If you experience symptoms for more than 3 weeks after you have tried some of the home remedies and continue to experience the numbness and tingling, you should seek medical evaluation. Other diseases can cause numbness and tingling in the extremities and need to be ruled out by your orthopedic MD.
Best Exercises for Carpal Tunnel
Please read this ARTICLE for the best exercises that you can do for carpal tunnel.
Surgery for Carpal Tunnel
An orthopedic physician will determine if surgery is indicated for your condition. This surgery is referred to as a carpal tunnel release. Your physician may do special tests to determine if surgery is needed for your wrist.
Hand Therapy for Carpal Tunnel
Specialized hand therapy is helpful after a Carpal Tunnel release has been performed (surgery). Prior to surgery, an Occupational Therapist or Certified Hand Therapist can be very helpful with acquiring the correct splint and teaching stretching exercises. At present, an exercise program alone can not prevent or cure Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. JOI offers hand therapy at select locations for your convenience. For appointments, please call JOI Rehab at 904-858-7045. Learn more on Direct Access to Physical Therapy at JOI Rehab.
To schedule a Virtual Telemedicine or in-person appointment with an Orthopaedic Hand Specialist, please call 904-JOI-2000, schedule online or click below.
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