If your job requires you to work closely with your hands and wrists, you may have an inkling about what carpal tunnel syndrome feels like. You can recognize that tightening in your forearm, and the numbness and even pain you will begin to feel in your wrists and hands. You know what it feels like to wake up from a sound sleep with these sensations, and you may be wondering what in the world you can do about it.
To understand what carpal tunnel syndrome does, you need to learn about the physiology of your wrist. Carpal tunnel syndrome occurs when the median nerve becomes compressed. This debilitating and sometimes painful condition usually needs some type of treatment to make it better.
If you rely on your hands and arms for a living, carpal tunnel syndrome can be a big problem. Typists and those who spend hours on the computer know that this problem may cost them their job. Similar stresses worry construction workers, painters and even hair stylists. When the pain affects your work, it is not unusual to lose some of your productivity. Most people take it for granted that their hands will continue to do everything they need to do without complaint. When they begin feeling the symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome, they may be surprised.
Surgery is often recommended for those who are suffering from carpal tunnel syndrome. Carpal tunnel surgery may be done under local or regional anesthesia. During surgery, the transverse carpal ligament is cut to relieve the pressure on the median nerve. This ligament passes horizontally around all the other ligaments that run vertically from the arm to the hand. The theory is that cutting this ligament will release the compression on the median nerve. The transverse carpal ligament will then fuse together more loosely with scar tissue, making more room for the nerves and ligaments.
No one can predict the true outcome of any surgery. When you are dealing with a complicated area containing small bones, ligaments and muscles like the hand and wrist, this can make it even more unpredictable. Costs of surgery and rehabilitation can cost up to $10,000 or more and you may still find yourself with symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome. There is also the possibility of losing strength in your arms and wrists.
Preventing and relieving carpal tunnel syndrome is much easier than you think. To start, you should take some time off from doing what you are doing to cause your pain. Even if this is only a couple of days, the time off will help. Simple wrist exercises to stretch the transverse carpal ligament can be done to ease the pressure on the other ligaments. Work with a physical therapist to find the right stretches that work for you and you should see results almost immediately. Always use surgery as a last resort.
Preventing carpal tunnel is fairly easy. With only a little effort, the stretches and exercises will reduce the compression of your median nerve so you can avoid surgery.
