Carpal Tunnel

Pain, numbness, and tingling in your hand and arm may be due to carpal tunnel syndrome. The board-certified orthopedic surgeons, serving the community in and around Central and South Austin, as well as Bee Cave, Cedar Park, and Pflugerville, Texas, provide immediate treatment for people with carpal tunnel at Austin Sports Medicine. If you think you have carpal tunnel syndrome, call the clinic or book an appointment online today.

What is carpal tunnel syndrome?

Carpal tunnel syndrome is a common condition that develops when one of the main nerves (median nerve) in your hand becomes pinched or compressed as it runs through your wrist.

The median nerve extends down the length of your arm and provides feeling to your thumb, index, middle, and ring fingers. When this nerve is pinched, you experience pain and symptoms that typically worsen over time. Without treatment, carpal tunnel syndrome can lead to permanent nerve damage. 

What are the symptoms of carpal tunnel?

Carpal tunnel syndrome can affect one hand or both at the same time. Symptoms usually begin gradually and may include intermittent numbness and tingling in your hand. 

You may also feel occasional electric shock-like sensations that shoot into your fingers. Pain and tingling may also travel up your arm and toward your shoulder.

Over time, the pain and symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome become more constant and severe. You may experience weakness in the affected hand that causes you to drop things. 

What causes carpal tunnel?

Carpal tunnel syndrome happens when the median nerve gets squeezed as it passes through a narrow passage in the wrist called the carpal tunnel. Many factors can contribute to this condition, including:

• Wrist injuries, such as a sprain or fracture
• Inflammatory conditions like rheumatoid arthritis
• Nerve-damaging conditions like diabetes

Stress on the wrist from repetitive movements or holding vibrating tools may also increase your risk for carpal tunnel syndrome. 

How is carpal tunnel treated?

Austin Sports Medicine provides timely treatment for carpal tunnel syndrome so you can return to your normal life as quickly as possible. 

To diagnose your condition, your provider carefully reviews your symptoms and performs a physical exam. They may also ask for imaging tests, such as an X-ray, to examine your condition more in-depth.

Treatment for carpal tunnel syndrome may include:

• Taking frequent breaks to rest your hands
• Avoiding activities that trigger your symptoms
• Applying ice throughout the day
• Wrist splinting
• Over-the-counter pain medication
• Corticosteroid injection

Advanced cases of carpal tunnel syndrome may require wrist arthroscopy, a minimally invasive procedure performed on-site.

During the procedure, your surgeon inserts a thin tube called an arthroscope into a small incision on the back of your wrist. The arthroscope provides real-time images of your wrist joint, allowing your provider to diagnose the source of your discomfort. If necessary, they can even insert small tools through the arthroscope to make surgical repairs.

Carpal tunnel syndrome is easiest to treat in its early stages. Call Austin Sports Medicine or book an appointment online as soon as you notice symptoms.