Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Specialist

What is carpal tunnel syndrome?

Carpal tunnel syndrome occurs when your median nerve is compressed as it passes through your wrist into your hand. 

Your carpal tunnel is a small opening in your wrists with three bony sides and a fibrous roof. Your carpal tunnel protects your median nerve as it travels through your wrist and into your hand. When the flexor tendons in your carpal tunnel become inflamed, it narrows the tunnel and puts pressure on your median nerve. 

The compression causes several symptoms, including:

• Numbness and tingling in your thumb and first three or four fingers
• Shock-like jolts that travel to your thumb and first three or four fingers
• Pain or weakness in your hand, forearm, or shoulder
• Reduced dexterity in your hand
• Night pain that can wake you up

Carpal tunnel syndrome symptoms usually develop slowly and become progressively worse over time. 

What causes carpal tunnel syndrome?

Many factors contribute to carpal tunnel syndrome. For example, if you have a family history of carpal tunnel syndrome, your chances of developing the condition increase. You may genetically have a narrower carpal tunnel or are more vulnerable to inflammation. 

Additionally, if you have a career or hobby that requires repetitive hand movements, you increase your risk of aggravating the tendons in your wrists. Similarly, if you have to keep your hands and wrists in a flexed position for long periods of time, you can increase the pressure on your median nerve. 

Health conditions like diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, and thyroid imbalances can also trigger inflammation and swelling in your wrists. 

How is carpal tunnel syndrome diagnosed?

The team at Central Jersey Hand Surgery offers comprehensive exams and testing to diagnose the condition causing your symptoms. After talking to you about your symptoms and medical history, your doctor carefully examines your wrists and hands. 

They press or tap on your median nerve to try to trigger symptoms in your hands and fingers. Your doctor also tests the sensitivity in your fingers and weakness in your hands.

If necessary, your doctor may order X-rays or electromyography nerve testing to confirm carpal tunnel syndrome.

How is carpal tunnel syndrome treated?

If your carpal tunnel syndrome is not found to be severe, the team at Central Jersey Hand Surgery starts with conservative, noninvasive treatments for carpal tunnel syndrome. These can include braces, physical therapy, and/or steroid injection.

However, if conservative treatments don’t relieve your symptoms, they also perform minimally invasive endoscopic carpal tunnel release surgery. The team has performed over 15,000 endoscopic carpal tunnel release procedures and has had great success relieving carpal tunnel syndrome symptoms. 

If you’re troubled by carpal tunnel syndrome, call Central Jersey Hand Surgery or make an appointment online today.