Carpal tunnel syndrome is a condition caused by swelling that compresses a nerve in the wrist. You experience tingling, numbness and pain from your fingers all the way up to your elbow. Often, this pain and numbness can be severe, even disabling.
Instructions
1. Visit your doctor and discuss your symptoms. She will probably prescribe X-rays to get an idea of what is going on inside your wrist, as well as a wrist brace to stabilize your wrist movement. You will also receive a prescription for mild painkillers and some easy exercises you can do at home or in your office.
2. Wear the wrist brace as ordered by your doctor. Don't wear it 24 hours a day. Give your wrist a break from the brace, especially at night. Wear the brace when you know you're going to be doing movements that exacerbate your condition. If you type continuously during the day, take short breaks every 20 minutes.
3. One beneficial exercise is to place all of your fingers and your thumb together, then rotate your wrist first one way, then the other. Do this wrist rotation when you have been using your hand and arm frequently. Another is to close your hand and swing it back and forth slowly but with a strong motion. Begin with five hand swings, then build up slowly.
4. Stretch your hand and arm frequently when you are using your hand for an extended time. If you still feel numbness and pain, stop the irritating activity, if you can. Prop your elbow on your desk or table, with your hand and wrist upright at an angle from the table. Allow your hand to rest for several minutes until the swelling in your wrist begins to subside.
5. If, in spite of everything you are doing to alleviate your carpal tunnel syndrome, you are getting worse, discuss the possibility of surgery with your doctor. A general surgeon can perform this surgery. He will simply make an incision in your inner wrist and "release," or cut, the tendon wrapping around your carpal tunnel that has been causing all the trouble. He will then suture your skin and apply a cast or stiff splint to your wrist.
6. After surgery, you will be ordered to minimize motion or use of your wrist for a few weeks. You will keep the cast or brace on while your wrist heals. Don't do any heavy lifting or excessive repetitive motions until you are officially released by the surgeon to return to normal activity.
Tags: your wrist, your hand, your doctor, carpal tunnel, fingers your