How can carpal tunnel syndrome be treated?
May 7, 2023 | 40,00 EUR | answered by Jonas Schmitt
Dear team of the online consultation,
My name is Lilli Heuser and I have been having problems with my hands for some time now. It started a few weeks ago when I kept waking up at night because my hands were numb and tingling. This sensation extends to my fingers and I feel like they are somehow falling asleep. During the day, I feel a slight burning and a dull pain in my wrist and palm. Additionally, I feel like my hands have become weaker and I can't grip things as well as before.
I did some research on the internet and came across carpal tunnel syndrome. The symptoms I am experiencing seem to fit that description. I am really worried that it could be something serious and I wonder what I can do about it. Are there ways to treat carpal tunnel syndrome without needing immediate surgery? What treatment options are available and how effective are they? Are there specific exercises or medications that could help me? I just want to be able to sleep through the night without pain or numbness in my hands and would greatly appreciate your support and advice.
Thank you in advance for your help.
Sincerely,
Lilli Heuser
Dear Lilli Heuser,
Thank you for your message and trust in my expertise as a neurologist. I am sorry to hear that you are having problems with your hands and experiencing uncomfortable symptoms. Based on your descriptions, carpal tunnel syndrome does indeed seem to be a possible cause of your complaints.
Carpal tunnel syndrome occurs when the median nerve, which runs through the carpal tunnel in the wrist, becomes compressed. This can lead to symptoms such as numbness, tingling, pain, weakness, and limited hand function, as you have described. It is important that you see a doctor to receive an accurate diagnosis and discuss potential treatment options.
There are various treatment options for carpal tunnel syndrome, typically selected based on the severity of symptoms and the patient's individual health condition. In many cases, conservative therapy, without surgery, can be effective. This may include wearing a special brace at night to rest the wrist, physiotherapy exercises to strengthen hand muscles and improve mobility, as well as anti-inflammatory medications to relieve pain and inflammation.
In addition, local corticosteroid injections into the carpal tunnel to reduce inflammation and swelling can also be helpful. These measures can help improve your symptoms and maintain hand function.
In some cases, especially if conservative therapies are not effective enough or symptoms are severe, surgery may be considered. This involves reducing pressure on the nerve in the carpal tunnel by dividing the connective tissue to alleviate symptoms.
It is important that you discuss your symptoms with a doctor to develop an individualized treatment strategy tailored to your needs. Please do not hesitate to seek professional medical assistance to appropriately address your complaints and improve your quality of life.
I hope that my information has been helpful to you and I am available for any further questions.
Best regards,
Jonas Schmitt
