Often people associate hand symptoms (numbness or tingling) with carpal tunnel, but are they? There can be other conditions that result in numbness/tingling of the hands that are not related to carpal tunnel. These other potential conditions include compression of the radial, ulnar, or median nerves in the shoulder, elbow, or arm or even a cervical disc injury. The specific location and nature of the symptoms generally suggest potential sources of the issue.
So what do carpal tunnel symptoms look like?
People with carpal tunnel symptoms will experience numbness/tingling on the palm aspect of the thumb, pointer finger, and sometime part of the middle finger. Frequently people will notice these issues at night (if they curl their wrists while sleeping) and/or during the day with repetitive activities involving the wrist/hand. Often people will “shake” their hand(s) when it happens to relieve the symptoms. The numbness/tingling is a result of compression of the median nerve as it passes into the wrist. If severe enough or for a long period of time the individual may begin to experience hand weakness or muscle atrophy.
These sound like my symptoms, now what?
Well, that will partly depend on the severity. If a person is just beginning to notice some symptoms that is the best time. In the early stages, working on wrist and nerve mobility can be helpful to relieve and potentially prevent progression of symptoms. Additionally, the usage of wrist splints at night can be useful to reduce the over-night compression that is hard to stop while sleeping. Frequently when people think they may have some carpal tunnel issues going on they will visit their doctor or an orthopedic. Initially the above suggestions will be recommended. If or when symptoms progress to becoming more constant or the person begins to lose strength or develop muscle atrophy (the meat of the thumb), doctors will advise surgery. Often a small incision will be made to then “release” the tension over top of the carpal tunnel where the median nerve passes under.
If surgery is inevitable why not just have it now?
Surgery does not have to come to pass if you are able to address the mild symptoms before they become more severe. So it is recommended that you address any concerns early.
My symptoms are mild, and I don’t want surgery?
Then your 1st step should be to take the first level of steps mentioned above. Visiting a muscle and joint specialist is the perfect person to guide you to the best approach to relieving those symptoms. Click the following LINK to connect with a specialist who can help you resolve your carpal tunnel concerns.