One of the most common conditions affecting the hands, carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is an irritation of the median nerve, a major conduit providing sensation to the thumb and three fingers as well as motor control to muscles at the base of the thumb.
It occurs often due to repetitive motions or medical conditions such as arthritis and diabetes. While CTS often responds well to rest and home care, sometimes it’s not possible to fully recover with the demands of daily living.
As hand and wrist specialists, the doctors at Bahri Orthopedics & Sports Medicine Clinic in Jacksonville, Florida, can provide advanced treatment and, if necessary, surgical solutions to clear up your pain and motor issues.
Today, we focus on when carpal tunnel syndrome becomes serious enough to require surgery, so you can prevent permanent damage to your hand.
The carpal tunnel is an anatomical feature that encloses the median nerve and nine flexor tendons within a protective sleeve of connective tissue.
There’s not much room to spare within this tunnel, so any inflammation or narrowing can place pressure on the median nerve, causing the common symptoms of CTS, including numbness, tingling, and weakness.
This lack of room, combined with repeated movements that irritate the median nerve, causes CTS symptoms. Without a chance to fully recover, the condition progresses.
When you seek medical help, conservative care comes first, such as wrist splints, prescription medications, and corticosteroid injections.
You may also need to modify regular activities or make ergonomic adjustments to ease the strain on your wrist. We may also recommend occupational and physical therapy.
Even with conservative care options, your CTS may continue to get worse. The need for surgery becomes evident when existing treatments aren’t relieving nerve irritation. Signs include:
A test called a nerve conduction study can confirm the presence of median nerve compression.
CTS surgery has a high success rate for most patients, relieving pain and restoring strength, but much depends on the extent of your condition before your procedure, usually a form called carpal tunnel release.
Start your recovery by contacting Bahri Orthopedics & Sports Medicine Clinic for an examination and evaluation. Call or click today to request an appointment at our nearest office.
