About this topic
Your median nerve runs from your lower arm into your hand. If this nerve is squeezed at the wrist area, you may feel pain. You may also have weakness, tingling, or numbness in your hand and wrist. Swelling in this area puts pressure on the nerve and causes the signs. This is called carpal tunnel syndrome. The carpal tunnel is the small area in your wrist that the median nerve runs through. A tough band of tissues called a ligament holds everything in place over the carpal tunnel. ‚
Carpal tunnel syndrome is a very common health problem. It is most often caused by doing hand or wrist movements over and over. It can also be caused by using the lower arm muscles too much. Doctors often try different treatments. If these do not work, surgery may be needed. ‚
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What care is needed at home?
- Ask your doctor what you need to do when you go home. Make sure you ask questions if you do not understand what the doctor says. This way you will know what you need to do.
- Rest your wrist and hand as much as possible. Do not do motions that make your problem worse.
- Place an ice pack or a bag of frozen peas wrapped in a towel over the painful part. Never put ice right on the skin. Do not leave the ice on more than 10 to 15 minutes at a time.
- Prop your hand on pillows to help with swelling.
- Wear a splint or wrist brace to keep your wrist from bending too much. It is a good idea to sleep with the brace on at night.
What follow-up care is needed?
- Your doctor may ask you to make visits to the office to check on your progress. Be sure to keep these visits. Your doctor may send you for tests such as a nerve conduction study, electromyogram, or x-ray.
- Your doctor may send you to see a specialist or a surgeon.
- Your doctor may send you to physical therapy (PT). The PT will teach you exercises to help you get back your strength and motion.
What drugs may be needed?
The doctor may order drugs to: ‚
- Help with pain and swelling, like ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin). These are nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS).
- Help with pain, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol)
The doctor may give you a shot of an anti-inflammatory drug called a corticosteroid. This will help with swelling. Talk with your doctor about the risks of this shot. ‚
Will physical activity be limited?
You may need to rest your wrist for a while. You should not do physical activity that makes your health problem worse. Sometimes you have to do repeat movements with your hand for your job, sport, or hobby. You may have to change the way you do them or do them less often. ‚
What problems could happen?
- Long-term hand numbness or weakness
- Grip weakness
- Loss of function in the hand
- Wound infection after surgery
What can be done to prevent this health problem?
- Avoid doing repeat movements with your wrist and hand, if you can. If you have to do repeat movements, take rest breaks often.
- If you sit at a computer, make sure your keyboard, mouse, desk, and chair are in the right positions so you do not put stress on the wrist. Think about using a special mouse and keyboard that are made to protect your wrist and hand.
- If you have an assembly job, try alternating tasks, if possible.
- Avoid holding your wrist and hand in the same position for too long.
- Wearing splints or fingerless compression gloves may help:
- Keep the wrist straight
- Keep the muscles warm and flexible
- Prevent swelling
- Do gentle stretching exercises before doing tough movements with your wrist and hands.
When do I need to call the doctor?
- Signs of a very bad reaction. These include wheezing; chest tightness; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; seizures; or swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat. Go to the ER right away.
- Signs of infection. These include a fever of 100.4 ‚ °F (38 ‚ °C) or higher; chills; wound that will not heal; yellowish, greenish, or bloody discharge from a wound; or loss of feeling in the hand and wrist.
- More numbness in the hand
- Grip is weaker
- You are not feeling better in 2 to 3 days or you are feeling worse
Teach Back: Helping You Understand
The Teach Back Method helps you understand the information we are giving you. The idea is simple. After talking with the staff, tell them in your own words what you were just told. This helps to make sure the staff has covered each thing clearly. It also helps to explain things that may have been a bit confusing. Before going home, make sure you are able to do these: ‚
- I can tell you about my condition.
- I can tell you what may help ease my pain and swelling.
- I can tell you what I will do if I have more numbness in my hand or my grip is weaker.
Where can I learn more?
American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons ‚
http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=a00005 ‚
American Association of Neurological Surgeons ‚
http://www.aans.org/Patient%20Information/Conditions%20and%20Treatments/Carpal%20Tunnel%20Syndrome.aspx ‚
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke ‚
http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/carpal_tunnel/detail_carpal_tunnel.htm ‚
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
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Copyright ‚ © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. ‚