What is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?
It all begins with an idea.
In carpal tunnel syndrome the median nerve becomes compressed in the tunnel at the base of the hand. This produces numbness, tingling and aching of the thumb, index, middle and half of the ring finger. There may also be wasting of the thumb muscles and clumsiness.
The symptoms are initially felt mainly at night, usually caused by the flexed (bent) position of the wrist. At this stage a night splint to prevent bending the wrist forwards will usually provide significant relief within the first two weeks.
Other treatments that can be helpful are education, icing, massage, tendon gliding exercises, stretches and ultrasound.
If conservative methods do not relieve the symptoms, surgery is a good option. The fibrous band is released over the carpal tunnel to relieve the pressure on the nerve.