What You Need to Know About Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Do you feel weakness, numbness, or pain in your wrist and the rest of your hand? These are among the top signs of carpal tunnel syndrome. Learn more about this condition, how to recognize it, and what to expect if you undergo hand surgery in Katy, TX.

What Is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?

Carpal tunnel syndrome occurs when there is pressure on the median nerve, which is found throughout your arm, running through the carpal tunnel up to your hand. This nerve is responsible for the thumb’s ability to feel and move. It is also responsible for the movement of the other fingers, with the exception of the pinky.

When the median nerve gets compressed, it causes tingling, numbness, and weakness in the forearm and hand. It usually happens due to other health conditions, the wrist’s anatomy, and performing repetitive hand motions.
 
The risk of suffering from carpal tunnel syndrome increases with age, but it does not usually happen to people under 20. There is no single determined cause of this condition, but risk factors include anatomy, nerve-damaging conditions, inflammatory conditions, medications, body-fluid changes, obesity, and workplace factors.

What Are Its Symptoms?

You may suspect carpal tunnel syndrome if you feel pain or tingling in the fingers, particularly in the index, thumb, or middle fingers, and numbness at night. These issues may be relieved when you shake your hands, but in worse cases, a hand surgeon may be required.

You may experience more daytime symptoms if the problem worsens. These include reduced feeling in your fingertips, tingling fingers, and difficulty using your hands to hold the steering wheel, grasp small objects, or type on a keyboard. Other symptoms include a weak feeling in the hand, dropping objects, and inability to perform buttoning up buttons or other delicate movements.

What Happens During Carpal Tunnel Surgery?

After getting answers to the question, “What is carpal tunnel syndrome?” you might be curious about appropriate treatments. After examining your hand and wrist, the treatment can be determined. In its early stages, non-surgical treatments like splinting or bracing, nerve-gliding exercises, changes in activities, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or steroid injections may work.

If the condition does not respond to non-surgical treatments and the symptoms have grown severe, hand surgery in Katy might be necessary. You may get endoscopic or open surgery.

In endoscopic surgery, a small opening about a half-inch long will be made in the wrist. A camera will then be placed in the opening to guide the surgeon as they cut the problematic ligament to free the median nerve. Since the opening is small in this technique, it is less painful and heals faster.

In open surgery, the incision may be up to two inches long from the wrist to the palm to view what’s inside the hand. During carpal tunnel surgery, the transverse carpal ligament will be divided to increase the tunnel’s size and reduce the pressure on the median nerve.

Arrange a Consultation

Are you worried that the numbing and tingling in your fingers may be carpal tunnel syndrome? If so, it’s best to have it diagnosed by a specialist. If it requires carpal tunnel surgery, choose Dr. Dipan Das, a specialist in hand and wrist conditions. Contact The Hand & Plastic Surgery Center of Katy today to book your consultation.