Carpal Tunnel Syndrome refers a painful condition where compression of an important nerve leads to throbbing pain in hands and fingers. The pain can be contributed by repetitive movements over a course of time. Other reasons could include fluid retention. Symptoms to help identify the condition include numbness or a burning sensation in the problem area. Weak thumb muscles are another symptom and it makes it hard to hold objects. While the condition is not simple, there are of course effective ways to treat carpal tunnel syndrome.

Preliminary Treatment at Home

1. Rest and Right Posture

If the pain prevails, but is not very serious, treatment can be started at home. It is essential to allow the hand, wrist and fingers to rest. Avoid engaging in activities that can exhaust the hand and cause further numbness or pain. You can slowly start regular work after the symptoms fade. Keep in mind that you must follow the right posture and keep the wrists either straight.

2. Exercise

Do simple exercises such as rotating the wrist as it can reduce discomfort and chances of future complications.

3. Apply Ice for 15 minutes

Other home remedies include icing the problem area for around 15 minutes after a period of every 1 to 2 hours. In case the pain still remains, take nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Even though these have no direct impact on the carpal tunnel syndrome, it can reduce swelling and alleviate pain.

4. Special Attention to the Hand While Sleeping

You can easily reduce swelling by elevating your arm with pillows when you lie down. The aim is to keep the arm above your heart.

While sleeping, make active efforts to avoid laying on the hand. You will have to ensure that the hand and wrist stays in neutral position at night. For this, you can wear a wrist splint. This will easily relieve pressure on the median nerve.

Alternate Method: Carpel Tunnel Surgery

There are cases where simple home remedies do not suffice and the seriousness of the condition requires more severe approach: surgery. Read on and learn how to treat your carpal tunnel symptoms.

Surgery can basically help reduce the pressure on median nerve in your wrist. During the Carpal Tunnel Release Surgery, the doctor will cut a ligament and reduce the pressure on the nerve.

Open surgery refers to when the doctor cuts the palm of your hand and during endoscopic decompression, the doctor makes a small cur in the wrist and inserts a thin tube with a camera attached. Then, surgical tools are inserted with the endoscope.  

It is a 10-minute procedure where no stitches are required. You can also resume use of hand within 24 to 48 hours of the surgery. You can select surgery if the symptoms do not go away even after long period of rest and other home remedies.

Do You Really Need Surgery?

Surgery is an excellent way to prevent lasting nerve damage. It is often recommended when the symptoms last for too long and the test results show that there is nerve damage. It is also the ideal next resort when off-the-counter wrist splint, pain medicines, and other treatments fail to alleviate symptoms.

Effectiveness of Surgery

Most patients have better hand function after the surgery. Everyone should, of course, try the non-surgical treatment methods before considering the carpel tunnel surgery. However, those who have surgery usually face fewer symptoms. The doctor will be able to suggest what is the best option for you. Problems associated with this surgery is very low as only 1% face complications.