Many signs and symptoms may point to the fact that you have carpal tunnel syndrome. You may have had tingling and numbness in your hand for some time, which has caused you to alter some activities. And every now and then, pain in your hands may cause you to wake from sleep or you get a shooting pain from your wrist up to your arm.
Dr. Francesco Campanile is a fellowship-trained hand surgeon in Denver who can treat your carpal tunnel syndrome. He has the skills and experience to evaluate your condition and provide you with solutions. Contact us today so that we can evaluate your symptoms and develop a recommended treatment plan.
Condition Overview
Carpal tunnel syndrome is caused by pressure on the median nerve in the wrist. The “carpal tunnel” is the area of the wrist where the median nerve and nine tendons pass from the forearm into the hand. Swelling in the carpal tunnel puts pressure on the medial nerve, which then leads to numbness, tingling, and/or pain in the hand and fingers. Swelling in the carpal tunnel may occur for several reasons:
- The lining of the flexor tendons inside the tunnel may swell
- Arthritis, diabetes, hypothyroidism or a nearby fracture can cause the tunnel to narrow
- Keeping the wrist bent for extended periods of time may aggravate the tissues inside the tunnel
- Swelling due to fluid retention during pregnancy can cause the condition to appear temporarily
In many cases, the cause of the condition is not determined. Most people with carpal tunnel syndrome experience a combination of pain, numbness and tingling sensations. Symptoms are often felt at night or while engaging in certain activities such as driving, typing or reading a book. The condition can also cause a weak grip or even permanent loss of sensation.
Dr. Campanile’s Approach
The optimal treatment for your carpal tunnel syndrome will depend on the severity of the pain you are experiencing and whether an underlying disease may be causing the symptoms. On the non-surgical side, rest, splinting, icing and activity modification can help with initial symptoms. Carpal tunnel syndrome that results from arthritis is best treated by addressing the underlying condition through the use of anti-inflammatory medications and cortisone tablets or injections.
If chronic pressure on the median nerve is causing persistent numbness and weakness, surgery may be needed to avoid permanent nerve and muscle damage. Surgery to sever the transverse carpal ligament is the only treatment that has been scientifically established to modify the disease. Because the surgery reduces pressure on the median nerve, it is sometimes called surgical decompression or carpal tunnel release. Dr. Campanile performs this procedure either through an endoscopic or open approach. Patients should plan on a rehabilitation process during recovery to maintain range of motion and avoid complications.
Get Help
If carpal tunnel syndrome is causing you pain or limiting your activities, it’s easy to get help from a skilled hand specialist in Denver. Call us today at 303-345-7476 or contact us online to schedule your appointment.
Telephone No.303-345-7476