Carpal tunnel syndrome is a disorder that can cause excruciating pain, limiting your mobility. This disorder is not life-threatening and can also prevent you from carrying out your daily activities, reducing the quality of your life. Inability to carry out your physical activities may leave you mentally and mentally exhausted. The East Brunswick carpal tunnel specialist at Mid Atlantic Orthopedic Associates, LLP, addresses the underlying cause of your symptoms while alleviating your pain and discomfort.
What you didn’t know about carpal tunnel syndrome
Carpal tunnel syndrome is a painful disorder that occurs when pressure is exerted on your median nerve, resulting in tingling, weakness, or numbness in your hand. The media nerve regulates the feeling and movement in your thumb and other fingers except for the pinky.
If carpal tunnel syndrome goes untreated, it can deteriorate and cause painful symptoms. Carpal tunnel can result in various health issues that gradually deteriorate over time. If you experience persistent pain, tingling, weak grip, shock-like sensations, and numbness in your hand, you may need medical intervention.
These uncomfortable symptoms may develop in your palm, wrist, and fingers except the pinky. Because the median nerve does not transmit signals to the pinky, you will not experience discomfort in that finger.
What contributes to the occurrence of carpal tunnel syndrome?
Several factors contribute to the development of carpal tunnel syndrome, including:
- Wrist size
Carpal tunnel syndrome occurs due to the narrowing of the passageway in your wrist. This exerts pressure on the median nerve, cutting off sensation and feeling in your fingers. People with small wrists are more prone to carpal tunnel syndrome. Also, women are at a higher risk of developing the disorder than men because their wrists are smaller.
- Medical conditions
Fractures, nerve-damaging conditions such as diabetes, and inflammatory disorders such as arthritis can result in carpal syndrome. Obesity may also contribute to this painful disorder.
- Hand and wrist movement
Overusing your hands and regularly working with vibrating tools can put you at a higher risk of getting carpal tunnel syndrome. People with tasks that require regular flexing of hands, such as the assembly line workers, have an increased chance of acquiring carpal tunnel syndrome and are also prone to the disorder. The specialists at Mid Atlantic Orthopedic Associates, LLP conduct a comprehensive physical exam and review your health history before designing an effective treatment plan that addresses underlying causes.
Is carpal tunnel syndrome curable?
Early detection of carpal tunnel syndrome increases the success levels of treatment. The team at Mid Atlantic Orthopedic Associates, LLP recommends informing your provider immediately you begin experiencing some of the symptoms of carpal tunnel.
When treated early, carpal tunnel syndrome improves with conservative care like nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, physical therapy, activity changes, and wrist braces. The team may recommend carpal tunnel release if you have an advanced form. During this surgery, your doctor widens your carpal tunnel to reduce pressure on your median nerve and alleviate the symptoms. The team may use arthroscopic surgery for this treatment.
Call the Mid Atlantic Orthopedic Associates, LLP, or book your spot online to learn more about carpal tunnel syndrome.
