The carpal tunnel syndrome arises due to compression of the median nerve, which passes through the wrist and innervates the palm of the hand, causing the appearance of tingling and needle sensation in the thumb, index finger or middle finger.
Carpal tunnel syndrome generally worsens over time since it arises, especially worsening at night.
Carpal tunnel syndrome has a cure with the use of corticoid medicines and physical therapy, for example, however, in some cases it may be necessary to have surgery so that the symptoms disappear completely.
Surgery for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Surgery for carpal tunnel syndrome is usually only done in the most severe cases where it is not possible to relieve symptoms with other treatments. So during surgery, the doctor makes a cut in the ligament that is pressing on the median nerve, resolving the symptoms. Learn more at: Carpal tunnel surgery.
However, before performing the surgery, your doctor may indicate other types of treatment that include:
- Wristbands: is the type of treatment most used during pregnancy to immobilize the wrist, especially while sleeping, reducing the discomfort caused by the syndrome;
- Anti-inflammatory medicines : like ibuprofen, reduce local inflammation, relieving symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome;
- Injections of corticosteroids: like cortisone, to decrease swelling and pressure on the median nerve.
In addition, the doctor also recommend doing physiotherapy to increase the effects of treatments in relieving pain and reducing swelling. In cases where carpal tunnel syndrome is caused by other problems, such as rheumatoid arthritis, it is important to start appropriate treatment for this problem in order to completely eliminate the symptoms.
It is common for carpal tunnel syndrome to arise in demanding professions for the hands as content manager, hairdresser or programmer, for example, it is important to start treating the problem right from the start when the first symptoms of discomfort and numbness arise. See other diseases that can be caused by work on 5 Diseases that may arise at work and how to treat.
Learn more tips to treat this syndrome by watching the tips suggested by our physiotherapist:
Home treatment
A good home treatment to relieve the symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome is to apply a bag of hot water on the wrist for 10 minutes, then do stretching exercises by stretching the arm and bending the wrist back and forth 10 times .
At the end, you should apply a cold water bag for another 10 minutes and repeat the process up to 2 times a day.
Symptoms
The main symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome include:
- Tingling or stinging sensation in the hand;
- Small swelling in fingers or hands;
- Difficulty in holding objects tightly;
- Difficulty in differentiating heat from cold.
These symptoms can only appear on one hand or both and are usually more intense at night. In these cases it is recommended to consult an orthopedist to evaluate the problem and start the appropriate treatment.
