What Is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and How It Is Treated
Health & Wellness

What Is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and How It Is Treated

Carpal tunnel syndrome or median nerve compression is a disease which affects the hand and arm of the patient. It occurs due to the compression of the median nerve, which is positioned in the carpal tunnel near the palm of the hand.

The main feature of the syndrome is the numbness and the loss of sensation experienced by the patient in the affected arm. A tingling feeling near the palm is also often seen in the affected person. The condition can be caused due to various reasons, including the anatomy of the wrist and arm, repetitive hand motions and even the general health condition of the patient. However, carpal tunnel syndrome treatment in India can be done to completely restore the hand function and reverse the loss of sensation in the patient.

Symptoms

Like most disorders, median nerve compression also starts out small, before eventually becoming noticeable in the patient. Initially, only the thumb and the index fingers have the numbing sensation which soon spreads to the other fingers and the hand becomes entirely numb in a short time.

Tingling in the arm and the wrist is also felt, especially while performing an action with the arm. This includes common actions, like holding the steering wheel or the phone. This tingling feeling is never given a serious thought but if it remains constant in the area, you have to consult a doctor quickly. The arm gradually loses its strength with the onset of carpal tunnel syndrome. Permanent muscle damage and nerve damage can occur if the symptoms are left untreated; so make sure to give the doctor a call.

Reasons for Median Nerve Compression

The median nerve is a nerve that goes along the carpal tunnel, in the arm and wrist. Frequent compression of the median nerve is the reason why carpal tunnel splint occurs in the patient. The median nerve controls the sense of feeling in your thumb and fingers, so it is normal that the syndrome causes loss of sensation in the fingers. Since the median nerve is also responsible for passing the motor signals to the base of the thumb, it can also result in a loss of mobility in the thumb.

Treatment

Median nerve compression treatment in Mumbai is carried out as soon as the disease is diagnosed in the person in order to prevent any complications. There are non-surgical methods of treatment, which are initially tried. These include wrist splinting to prevent movement of the wrist and the administration of Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs to the person. However, it is not clear if the drugs help in alleviating the problems associated with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.

Surgery is done if non-surgical therapy is unsuccessful. The procedure involves cutting the ligament which is pressing on the nerve to reduce the compressing effect on the median nerve. Surgery is either done in an endoscopic manner or an open method is used. The time for complete recovery from the surgery can be a few months.

Through PSTakeCare, the hospitals which have the facilities for median nerve compression treatment can be compared to help you make your decision. You can even use the free medical expert helpline for an educated opinion on the matter.