HEALTH Q&A: Carpal tunnel treatment

Q Is surgery the only option to treat carpal tunnel?

ACarpal tunnel syndrome is a condition that can cause wrist pain as well as numbness, tingling, and/or burning in the palm side of your hand and fingers. It is typically caused by factors that lead to an increase in pressure on the median nerve within the carpal tunnel at your wrist. If left untreated, the increased pressure can cause permanent changes to your nerve. Fortunately, surgery is not the only option!

Mild or early carpal tunnel syndrome can often be relieved with a combination of nonsurgical treatments. These include rest, wrist braces, anti-inflammatory medications (ibuprofen, naproxen), corticosteroids (pills or injection), vitamin B6, hand therapy and stretching. Alternative treatments such as acupuncture and chiropractic care may provide some benefit, but their effectiveness is unproven. Magnets, copper bracelets and biorhythm bands have no scientific or objective support and are not advised. If nonsurgical treatments fail, or a patient has moderate to severe carpal tunnel syndrome, surgery is the recommended treatment.

Many serious conditions can mimic symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome, so before you diagnose yourself, make sure you are evaluated by a board certified and fellowship trained hand surgeon. If you have mild or early carpal tunnel syndrome and you are told surgery is the only option, get a second opinion..

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