The early symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome are so mild you may be tempted to ignore them, but prompt recognition and treatment are the keys to preventing progressive problems. The doctors at Southwest Orthopedic Group, LLP thoroughly evaluate your wrist and hand and then develop an individualized treatment to restore optimal function. If you have questions about your symptoms or would like to schedule an appointment, call one of the nine offices in Houston, Texas, and the greater Houston area.
The median nerve runs the full length of your arm and passes through your wrist on its way to your hand and fingers. It runs through a narrow channel, called the carpal tunnel. In addition to the nerve, several tendons also use the carpal tunnel to gain access to your hand and fingers.
Carpal tunnel syndrome develops when the nerve is pinched inside the channel. The space in the carpal tunnel can narrow and cause nerve problems for several reasons, including:
Repeatedly using the same hand and finger movements causes inflamed tendons in the tunnel.
Pressure increases on the nerve when you flex your wrist. Frequently performing activities that bend your wrist can cause carpal tunnel syndrome.
Injuries to the wrist can cause inflammation in the carpal tunnel. Additionally, a wrist fracture could damage the median nerve.
Thyroid disorders and hormone changes during pregnancy and menopause contribute to carpal tunnel syndrome.
Arthritis may cause carpal tunnel inflammation, while diabetes can lead to nerve damage.
If you don’t suffer a wrist injury, carpal tunnel develops gradually. Your symptoms may include:
Some patients feel like their fingers are swollen even though they’re not.
Early treatment is important because unrelieved pressure on the nerve can lead to nerve damage. Your doctor at Southwest Orthopedic Group, LLP may recommend conservative measures such as:
When conservative treatments don’t relieve your symptoms, you may need surgery to relieve pressure on the nerve. The team at Southwest Orthopedic Group, LLP may perform minimally invasive or traditional open surgery, depending on your individual condition and surgical needs.
If you have symptoms associated with carpal tunnel syndrome, call Southwest Orthopedic Group, LLP today.
