West Tennessee Bone & Joint Clinic, P.C.
Orthopedics, Sports Medicine, & Interventional Pain Management located conveniently across west TennesseeNow offering Telehealth appointments
Carpal tunnel syndrome affects as many as 10 million Americans today, so if you’re struggling with wrist pain and hand sensation issues, you’re not alone. The experienced team of board-certified orthopedic specialists at West Tennessee Bone & Joint Clinic, P.C. understands the difficulties of carpal tunnel syndrome. They expertly diagnose and treat it using advanced noninvasive and minimally invasive technology. There are 11 practice locations in Union City, Trenton, Selmer, Paris, Lexington, Huntingdon, Dyersburg, and two offices each in Jackson and Martin, Tennessee. Call the office nearest you or book an appointment through online scheduling anytime.
Carpal Tunnel Q & A
What is carpal tunnel syndrome?
Carpal tunnel syndrome is a condition that causes serious pain and sensation issues in your wrist and hand. It happens when the median nerve — the main nerve leading to your hand — grows compressed within your carpal tunnel.
The carpal tunnel is a small canal at the bottom of your hand, where your wrist starts. This passageway includes a semicircle of bones and a ligament that joins them. Your median nerve and flexor tendons, which bend your fingers, both pass through the carpal tunnel.
If any part of your carpal tunnel grows inflamed, it compresses your median nerve to cause the symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome.
Carpal tunnel syndrome generally worsens over time, so it's very important to see a specialist at West Tennessee Bone & Joint Clinic, P.C. to halt the progression and prevent permanent damage.
How can I tell if I have carpal tunnel syndrome?
Carpal tunnel syndrome often causes telltale symptoms in your wrist and hand. Common symptoms include:
- Pain in your wrist, hand, and fingers
- Numbness in your hand or fingers
- Tingling in your hand or fingers
- Decreased hand strength
- Poor hand and finger motor function
Usually, carpal tunnel syndrome mainly affects the thumb, index, and middle fingers, so your pinky finger may feel normal. Carpal tunnel syndrome symptoms occur in one hand (your dominant hand).
The best way to know if you have carpal tunnel syndrome is by seeing an experienced orthopedic specialist at Tennessee Bone & Joint Clinic, P.C. as soon as possible.
What causes carpal tunnel syndrome?
Some of the main causes of median nerve compression leading to carpal tunnel syndrome include:
- Repetitive hand motion using acute wrist angles
- Frequent use of vibrating tools like electric drills
- Wrist injury like bone fracture
- Fluid retention during pregnancy
- Heredity causing a narrow carpal tunnel
Your specialist at West Tennessee Bone & Joint Clinic, P.C. can assess your hand and wrist and review your symptoms to determine the cause of your carpal tunnel syndrome. Then, they design a personalized treatment plan for you.
How do you treat carpal tunnel syndrome?
The West Tennessee Bone & Joint Clinic, P.C. team recommends nonsurgical treatments whenever possible. Your treatment may include bracing, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, prescribed exercises, and pain-relieving injections.
In many cases, activity modification can also help. For example, you can alternate hands while working, rest frequently when making repetitive hand motions, and minimize wrist bending or extension.
If nonoperative treatment doesn’t help, you may need surgery to widen the carpal tunnel opening and ease median nerve pressure.
For customized carpal tunnel care, call West Tennessee Bone & Joint Clinic, P.C., or book with online scheduling now.