Pain Management Tips from Your Orthopedic Doctor
Carpal tunnel syndrome is the most ubiquitous form of entrapment neuropathy. In fact, it is one of the most common reasons why patients seek hand pain relief. The symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome include numbness, pain, tingling, and weakness in the thumb and fingers. It can drastically affect quality of life, especially for those that work in offices that require them to type as part of their jobs.
Carpal tunnel syndrome is a progressive condition that will usually get worse over time without receiving proper care. It’s also worth mentioning that women are three times more likely than men to develop carpal tunnel syndrome. Statistics show that many women develop carpal tunnel syndrome during pregnancy, which is why the numbers are skewed heavily towards females.
For those that are experiencing carpal tunnel syndrome, there are numerous at-home methods that you can use to decrease your symptoms and help with pain management.
#1 – Take Breaks and Stretch
Carpal tunnel syndrome is caused by performing a repetitive task over and over and over. This usually pertains to using a keyboard; however, it can also be caused by activities such as playing an instrument or using certain tools that require repetitive motion.
Whatever the case may be, make sure to take frequent breaks and stretch your hands and wrists to improve blood flow. You should notice immediate hand pain relief upon doing this.
#2 – Wear a Supportive Splint
There are numerous supportive devices on the market that you can purchase to ease the symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome. Most of these devices can be bought at your local drugstore or through an online retailer like Amazon. Make sure to read plenty of customer reviews about the device you’re about to purchase.
#3 – Make Changes to Your Work Arrangement
Many bouts with carpal tunnel syndrome begin with a work environment that is not ergonomically correct. For those that are suffering with carpal tunnel syndrome, it’s always a good idea to evaluate your office chair, your keyboard, and the position of your wrists when sitting and typing. Chances are there’s something off about how you’re sitting or typing that is making your carpal tunnel flare up.
#4 – Get More Exercise
Strength and conditioning exercises that focus on the hands and wrists have proven to decrease the symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome. Those that need assistance with finding hand pain relief are encouraged to seek the guidance of a physical therapist at Mid-America Orthopedics Wichita. They can set you up with an exercise routine that is specifically designed for pain management and strengthening your hands and wrists.
#5 – Corticosteroid Treatments
Corticosteroid treatments are a common method used for treating carpal tunnel syndrome; however, these treatments generally only provide short-term relief from the pain, swelling, and discomfort. The patient may see an improvement in their symptoms that last a few weeks or more. After that, their carpal tunnel syndrome symptoms are likely to return at the same intensity they were at before.
#6 – Surgery
Although no one wants to endure going through surgery, sometimes it is the most effective method of relieving the symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome. Your orthopedic doctor may discover that this is the best way to permanently ease compression on the nerves in the carpal tunnel. However, keep in mind surgery is always reserved as the last resort. Your orthopedic doctor will likely have you engage in several at-home treatment methods before arriving at surgery. In the event you need surgery, arthroscopic surgery or another minimally invasive method will likely be used.
Ready to See an Orthopedic Doctor About Your Carpal Tunnel? Contact Mid-America Orthopedics Wichita
If you have tried several of these at-home methods of managing your carpal tunnel syndrome and still are not finding hand pain relief, don’t hesitate to contact Mid-America Orthopedics Wichita. Our orthopedic doctors have decades of combined experience in advanced orthopedics and helping resolve carpal tunnel syndrome issues for patients.
If your carpal tunnel syndrome requires surgery, we have some of the best orthopedic surgeons in-house at Mid-America Orthopedics Wichita. They will be able to advise you on what type of surgery is best for your specific condition.
Set up an appointment with the experienced team at Mid-America Orthopedics Wichita. You can email us directly using the contact form on our website or call us at (316) 630-9300.