Carpal Tunnel Treatment for Patients in the El Paso Area

If you partake in activities that involve repetitive motions, such as typing or moving a computer mouse for long periods of time, you may be at risk of carpal tunnel syndrome. Carpal tunnel syndrome can occur even if you don’t partake in repetitive hand movements. Other risk factors, such as heredity, pregnancy, or health conditions, can lead to pressure on your median nerve. Other risk factors include: having a smaller carpal tunnel or wrist injuries. If the pain has become too much to bear, then it may be time to seek medical assistance. Sun City Orthopaedic & Hand Surgery Specialists are ready to help.

Understanding Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Carpal tunnel syndrome is one of the most common types of nerve entrapment. The carpal tunnel is a narrow passage in the wrist through which the median nerve passes. This nerve provides feeling to the thumb and the two adjacent fingers. If pressure is placed on the median nerve, you will experience the following symptoms: pain, numbness, tingling, and weakness. Repeating hand and wrist movements for a long period of time can cause the tendons in your wrist to swell. This swelling will then place pressure on the median nerve.

This syndrome tends to occur more often when an individual partakes in constant, repetitive hand and wrist activities. Women are actually at higher risk for carpal tunnel syndrome because they have smaller carpal tunnels. The smaller size puts the median nerve at higher risk for swelling. Pregnant women experience hormonal changes that may cause swelling as well. Individuals with health conditions such as diabetes and thyroid gland imbalance are at higher risk for carpal tunnel syndrome.

Available Carpal Tunnel Treatment Options for Patients in El Paso

If your carpal tunnel syndrome is moderate, your doctor may instruct you to partake in certain lifestyle changes. Stretches and strengthening exercises may help with the issue as well. A wrist splint can also be used to immobilize your hand while you work. If the issue is more severe, then your doctor may administer a corticosteroid injection to reduce inflammation and swelling. In the most severe cases, carpal tunnel release will become a necessity. During this procedure, the surgeon will make an incision on palm on wrist or through an arthroscopic procedure. The transverse carpal ligament will be cut to release stress from the median nerve.

Sun City Orthopaedic & Hand Surgery Specialists is Ready to Help

If your career requires you to constantly move your hands and wrists in the same manner and you experience pain and numbness, then it’s time to seek medical attention. The sooner you take care of your carpal tunnel issues, the sooner you’ll be able to work without feeling discomfort. Contact Sun City Orthopaedic & Hand Surgery Specialists today to learn more about what we can do to help.