Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Pressure on a wrist nerve is called carpal tunnel syndrome. In the hand and fingers, it produces tingling, numbness, and pain. Self-care is frequently possible, although recovery can take months.
Carpal tunnel syndrome symptoms
Carpal tunnel syndrome symptoms include:
- Fingers, hands, or arms cramping or aching
- Tingly hands
- Pins and needles or tingling
- A feeble thumb or a grasping issue
These signs frequently appear gradually and disappear. Typically, they get worse at night.
Self-care for carpal tunnel syndrome
Carpal tunnel syndrome will go out on its own after a few months.
Put on a wrist brace.
To maintain a straight wrist, you can wear a wrist splint on your hand. It aids in relieving nerve pressure. Wear it on at night to sleep. Before it starts to feel better, you must wear a splint for at least four weeks. Wrist splints are available from pharmacies or online.
End things that cause ache
Avoid doing anything that requires you to grip tightly or bend your wrist regularly, such as playing an instrument or using vibrating tools at work.
Ibuprofen or paracetamol may provide temporary relief from carpal tunnel syndrome discomfort.
However, there isn’t much proof that they can address the root of carpal tunnel syndrome; thus, it’s crucial not to rely on them.
Hand Exercises
There is very little evidence suggesting that practicing hand exercises can help ease CTS.
When to seek a doctor?
- Your home treatment is failing
- your symptoms are growing worse or staying the same
Treatments for carpal tunnel syndrome
The Doctor may suggest giving your wrist a steroid injection if a wrist splint is ineffective. This reduces the inflammation around the nerve, relieving carpal tunnel syndrome symptoms.
However, Injections of steroids don’t always work as a cure. After a few months, carpal tunnel syndrome may recur, necessitating another injection.
Reviewed by – Dr. Priyanka, MBBS MD Microbiology
Page last reviewed: 16 JULY 2022