Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
What is carpal tunnel syndrome?
Carpal tunnel syndrome is pain, numbness, and tingling in your fingers and hand. Those feelings are caused by pressure on a nerve in your wrist.
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The carpal tunnel is a space (channel) on the palm side of your wrist
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The median nerve runs through the carpal tunnel
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Pressure on the nerve can cause carpal tunnel syndrome
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Treatment usually involves pain relievers taken by mouth, a splint, a shot of medicine called a corticosteroid, and sometimes surgery
What causes carpal tunnel syndrome?
Carpal tunnel syndrome happens when the median nerve in your wrist is squeezed from swelling or bands of hard tissue within the carpal tunnel. Usually the cause is unknown. But some repetitive actions may lead to carpal tunnel syndrome, including:
You're more likely to get carpal tunnel syndrome if you have certain medical conditions, such as diabetes or rheumatoid arthritis.
What are the symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome?
How can doctors tell if I have carpal tunnel syndrome?
How do doctors treat carpal tunnel syndrome?
Treatment can include:
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Avoiding positions that bend your wrist too much or put pressure on your wrist, like using a keyboard incorrectly
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Wearing wrist splints to keep your wrists straight, especially while sleeping or when using a keyboard or hand tool
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Taking mild pain relievers such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen
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Getting shots into your wrist (carpal tunnel) of medicine called corticosteroids, if the pain is severe
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Having surgery, if your pain is severe or your muscle shrinks or weakens
How can I prevent carpal tunnel syndrome?
You should avoid positions that bend your wrist too much or put extra pressure on the nerve.
Use a keyboard in the correct position:
Proper Keyboard Position
Drugs Mentioned In This Article
| Generic Name | Select Brand Names |
|---|---|
acetaminophen |
TYLENOL |
ibuprofen |
ADVIL, MOTRIN IB |
