The wrist contains a narrow structure called the carpal tunnel. In this tunnel is the median nerve that controls feeling inside the palm of your hand, and flexor tendons that enable you to bend your fingers and thumb. When the tissues around the flexor tendons swell, they compress the space in the tunnel, crowd the median nerve and result in painful symptoms.
What causes carpal tunnel syndrome?
Genetic Factors: Some families carry a genetic trait for a naturally smaller carpal tunnel, which increases the likelihood of suffering from this condition.
Pregnancy: In some women, hormonal changes during pregnancy trigger carpal tunnel syndrome.
Certain Medical Conditions: Certain conditions increase your risk of developing carpal tunnel syndrome, including diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis and thyroid disease.
Repetitive Use: Regular and repetitive use of your hand over time can cause carpal tunnel syndrome to develop.
Advancing Age: Carpal tunnel syndrome is seen much more frequently in older individuals.
What are symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome?
Symptoms associated with carpal tunnel syndrome tend to begin gradually and become more severe over time. In the beginning, they may be intermittent, but as the condition progresses, your symptoms will likely become constant. When this occurs, you may experience:
· Hand, forearm or wrist pain
· Tingling or a “pins-and-needles” sensation
· A dull ache in your forearm
· Weakening thumb muscles
· Stiff fingers
· Numbness
Traditionally, carpal tunnel syndrome is treated with splinting, corticosteroids, anti-inflammatory medication and, in the most severe cases, endoscopic or open surgery. However, all of these treatment approaches have their drawbacks. The conservative measures offer a temporary solution that may not be effective for all patients, and invasive surgery comes with a number of risks and a lengthy recovery period.
Fortunately, carpal tunnel syndrome often responds well to minimally invasive non-surgical treatment we provide at the Orthohealing center here in Los Angeles, utilizing ultrasound to visualize and guide the needle and release scar tissue. Additionally, using this technology frequently results in a more pleasant patient experience by dynamically & precisely visualizing an acupuncture-like needle while avoiding painful structures including nerve, blood vessels, tendons and bone. During your initial consultation with our office, we will discuss these approaches with you, before composing a custom treatment plan that we believe will most effectively and efficiently heal your injury.
For more information, check out our website www.orthohealing.com.