Carpal tunnel syndrome is caused by pressure on the median nerve inside of your wrist. The carpal tunnel is a narrow passage and when the nerve is being compressed, it can start to cause discomfort in your hand.
Signs that may imply you are suffering from carpal tunnel syndrome:
Tingling sensation in your hand and fingers
Numbness / burning sensation in hands
Weak grip; unable to hold objects correctly, dropping objects frequently
Symptoms often appear gradually and worsen over time, it is advised that when early signs are presented that you contact your GP to have them reviewed. Carpal tunnel syndrome is diagnosed via a physical examination and x-rays which can then reveal the root of the problem.
Potential Causes Carpal tunnel syndrome can be caused by an array of different contributing factors:
Over usage of the same hand/wrist motions
Trauma or injury to the hand and/or wrist such as sprains or fractures
Excessive manual work
Genetic - Your carpal tunnel may be smaller in size compared to others, ultimately increasing the risk of the nerve being affected
High blood pressure
Underlying health conditions such as arthritis and diabetes
Incorrect positioning of your hands and wrist when using a mouse and keyboard
Excessive exposure to vibrations, often caused by power tools
Treatments Non-Surgical: If early signs of carpal tunnel syndrome are detected and reviewed before they escalate then your carpal tunnel can be relieved of the pressure without the need for surgery. This can be achieved through different forms such as splinting, medicines or therapies. Surgical: If non-surgical treatments are not successful or signs of carpal tunnel syndrome are not acted upon then surgery may be the next step. The two types of surgical procedures that can be performed are:
Open carpal tunnel release: Your surgeon will separate the transverse carpal ligament which in effect will relieve the pressure from the median nerve and create more room within the carpal tunnel to prevent any reoccurring pressure.
Endoscopic carpal tunnel release: This is the same procedure as open carpal tunnel release, however your surgeon will use an endoscope (small camera) to see inside your hand/wrist.
Our Services
Here at Healthharmonie we currently operate minor surgery within Doncaster and Stoke & North Staffordshire. Our clinics are community based to allow you to be seen locally instead of having to visit a hospital. These clinics are easily accessible and offer free car parking for your convenience. More information on our Ophthalmology Services here.
Our hand surgery is performed by our two specialist’s Dr Srinivas, who is the leading consultant for Birmingham University Hospital and Mr Morgan, who has over 30 years of medical experience. Our leading medical consultants provide a wealth of knowledge and you can be reassured you are receiving the best treatment.
To access our hand surgery services, please speak to your GP who can provide further details.
If you have any questions regarding carpal tunnel syndrome/carpal tunnel surgery, please do not hesitate to get in touch via our contact us page.