Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: Things to do for quick relief | – Times of India

What is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?

Carpal tunnel syndrome, or CTS, is a common hand and wrist disorder. This is usually caused by the compression of the median nerve as it passes through the rather tight carpal tunnel in the wrist. It is, therefore, the compression that may cause a number of symptoms to interfere with a person’s daily activities, including disability, which are capable of measuring the immeasurable impact on the quality of life.

Carpal tunnel syndrome Symptoms

Major symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome include numbness, tingling, and pain in the thumb, index, middle, and part of the ring fingers.These symptoms often occur gradually and can be worse at night. Some patients may have the sensation that their fingers are swollen, yet they are not. Weakness of the hand, mainly at the pinching function of the thumb, may also be present and manifest as difficulty holding small objects, buttoning a shirt, or grasping a glass.

How to get quick relief from carpal tunnel syndrome?

To quickly relieve Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, take frequent breaks from repetitive hand activities and gently stretch your wrists and fingers. Apply a cold compress to reduce swelling and inflammation. Wearing a wrist brace, especially at night, can keep your wrist in a neutral position and alleviate pressure on the median nerve. Practice wrist-friendly ergonomics at work, ensuring your hands are not bent upward or downward while typing. Over-the-counter pain relievers, like ibuprofen, can help manage discomfort. If symptoms persist, consult a healthcare professional for further evaluation and treatment options, including physical therapy or injections.

Diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome

According to Dr. Apurva sharma – Consultant, Neurology, Manipal Hospital, Gurugram
, “The diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome is based on a physical examination and diagnostic tests. On physical examination, a physician may check for signs of nerve compression by tapping on the median nerve, known as Tinel’s sign, or by performing Phalen’s maneuver, which involves flexing the wrist, to see if symptoms are reproduced. Nerve conduction studies, or EMG, will confirm the diagnosis by measuring the electrical activity of the median nerve and the muscles it controls.”

Treatment options for carpal tunnel syndrome

The type of treatment used for carpal tunnel syndrome depends on the acuteness of the symptoms and the prime cause. In most cases, the conservative approaches will include the following initial treatments:
1. Wrist splinting: A wrist splint worn at night may keep the wrist in a neutral position and hence reduce pressure on the median nerve.
2. Activity modification: Modifying or avoiding activities that precipitate the symptoms may bring relief.
3. Medications: NSAIDs help reduce pain and decrease swelling.
In more chronic or troublesome cases, other treatments may be required, including:
4. Steroid Injections: Corticosteroids injected into the carpal tunnel may decrease inflammation and swelling, thus providing some temporary relief.
5. Surgery: In cases where conservative measures are not successful, a surgical procedure is performed under the name of carpal tunnel release. The surgery involves cutting the ligament covering the top part of the carpal tunnel, and by doing so, relieves pressure off the median nerve.
6. Open carpal tunnel release: This traditional surgery involves making an incision in the palm of your hand and cutting the carpal ligament to enlarge the carpal tunnel.
7. Endoscopic carpal tunnel release: This minimally invasive procedure uses a small camera and instruments inserted through small incisions in your wrist or palm to cut the carpal ligament.
Early diagnosis and early intervention in the process are very important in preventing further deterioration of symptoms and preventing long-term damage. It is essential to know whether a person has symptomatic carpal tunnel syndrome so that he may be able to seek medical advice on the most effective course of treatment. With proper care and management, anyone with carpal tunnel syndrome can be helped to maintain hand functioning and their overall quality of life. It is this understanding of the condition and timely help sought from medical advice that will let you take proactive steps to deal with carpal tunnel syndrome, thereby minimising its effects on your daily activities.