Carpal Tunnel Specialist

What is carpal tunnel syndrome?

The median nerve, the major nerve in your hand and wrist, travels through the carpal tunnel. This nerve provides feeling in your thumb and fingers and controls muscle movements in the base of your thumb.

When excess pressure is placed on the median nerve, the nerve becomes irritated and inflamed. Inflammation can lead to weakness and numbness in the hand and fingers that could develop into persistent pain.

What causes carpal tunnel syndrome?

Pressure on the median nerve can happen when the carpal tunnel begins to narrow as you age. You can also develop the condition if your tendons swell, pushing on the median nerve.

Another common cause of carpal tunnel syndrome relates to certain repetitive activities that you do every day, such as typing on a computer or working on an assembly line.

Other potential causes of carpal tunnel syndrome include:

• Heredity
• Diabetes
• Arthritis
• Thyroid disorders

Pregnancy can also increase your risk of developing carpal tunnel syndrome because hormone changes can cause swelling in the wrist that presses on the median nerve.

How is carpal tunnel syndrome diagnosed?

In many cases, Dr. Roh and Dr. Ojeyemi can diagnose carpal tunnel syndrome based on your symptoms. During a physical exam, they press on your median nerve to trigger numbness or pain and ask you to grasp objects to evaluate weakness in your hand and fingers.

To rule out other conditions, you’ll need imaging tests like an ultrasound or X-rays that provide your doctors with a closer look at the inner structure of your wrist.

What treatments are available for carpal tunnel syndrome?

The goal of treating carpal tunnel syndrome is to reduce pressure on the median nerve to alleviate pain and weakness. Initially, treatment usually involves using anti-inflammatories like aspirin or ibuprofen and rest. Bracing your wrist and hand can lessen pressure on the nerve that causes your symptoms.

When the inflammation and pain of carpal tunnel syndrome are interfering with your work or usual activities, you might benefit from steroid injections that deliver inflammation-relieving medications directly into the area surrounding your median nerve.

Dr. Ojeyemi is also experienced in surgeries that relieve nerve pressure, a treatment usually reserved for severe carpal tunnel pain. You’ll need surgery if nerve compression causes persistent numbness in your fingers or chronic pain not treatable with medications or other nonsurgical therapies.

Learn more about treating carpal tunnel syndrome pain and related symptoms by scheduling an evaluation at the clinic nearest you online or by phone today.