
What causes carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS)ĬTS happens when the carpal tunnel inside your wrist swells and squeezes one of your median nerves. This can cause a variety of unpleasant symptoms, including pain in the hand and wrist, numbness, tingling, and the inability to perform fine motor tasks. It can take a month after the operation to get back to normal activities. Carpal tunnel syndrome is a condition in which the median nerve, which runs from the hand to the forearm, becomes compressed. The operation takes around 20 minutes and you do not have to stay in hospital overnight. The root of the carpal tunnel inside your wrist is cut so it no longer puts pressure on the nerve. You and your specialist will decide together if it's the right treatment for you.Ī local anaesthetic injection numbs your wrist so you do not feel pain and a small cut is made in your hand. If your CTS is getting worse and other treatments have not worked, your GP might refer you to a specialist to discuss surgery. CTS can come back after a few months and you may need another injection. Steroid injections are not always a cure. This brings down swelling around the nerve, easing the symptoms of CTS. If a wrist splint does not help, your GP might recommend a steroid injection into your wrist. Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is the collection of symptoms and signs associated with median neuropathy at the carpal tunnel. These measure how fast an electrical impulse moves through your nerve and can identify nerve damage. If they're not sure it's CTS, they may refer you to hospital for tests, such as nerve conduction studies. Your GP can usually diagnose CTS by asking about your symptoms and checking your hand. Symptoms of Carpal Tunnel Tingling, burning or numbness, especially in your thumb and index or middle fingers Pain or numbness that worsens with: Wrist, hand. There's a small amount of evidence to suggest hand exercises help ease the symptoms of CTS.

Painkillers like paracetamol or ibuprofen may offer short-term relief from carpal tunnel pain.īut there's little evidence to say they can treat the cause of CTS, so it's important not to rely on them. This could be using vibrating tools for work or playing an instrument. Stop or cut down on anything that causes you to frequently bend your wrist or grip hard. Stop or cut down on things that may be causing it You can buy wrist splints online or from pharmacies. Carpal tunnel symptoms tend to affect your thumb and fingers (apart from your little finger). You'll have to wear a splint for at least 4 weeks before you start to feel better. It helps to relieve pressure on the nerve.
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Wear a wrist splintĪ wrist splint is something you wear on your hand to keep your wrist straight.
Carpal tunnel syndrome symptoms how to#
How to treat carpal tunnel syndrome yourselfĬTS sometimes clears up by itself in a few months, particularly if you have it because you're pregnant. These symptoms often start slowly and come and go.

an ache or pain in your fingers, hand or arm.Check if you have carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) You can often treat it yourself, but it can take months to get better. It causes tingling, numbness and pain in your hand and fingers. Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is pressure on a nerve in your wrist.
