Orthopedic Hand Doctor Who Treats Carpal Tunnel Syndrome in Maui, Wailuku, HI

Carpal tunnel syndrome is a chronic condition that involves increased pressure on the median nerve and tendons that help bend your thumbs and fingers, particularly the index, middle, and ring fingers. The median nerve is located in the carpal tunnel, which is a narrow corridor made up of ligaments, tendons, nerves, and bones found at the base of the hand and wrist.

The symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome typically happen gradually, beginning with recurrent numbness and tingling in the thumb, index finger, and middle finger in most cases. The numbness and tingling often happen at night and may also involve pain in the fingers. In addition to numbness and tingling, other common symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome include the following:
 
• Difficulty or inability to use the hand for mundane tasks, such as gripping a steering wheel to drive, holding a book to read, typing on a computer keyboard, writing with a pen, or buttoning up a shirt
• Frequently dropping objects
• Hand and wrist weakness
• Pain in the hand, wrist, thumb, and fingers
 
In the most severe cases of carpal tunnel syndrome, an individual may experience atrophy, or visible shrinkage, in the muscles at the base of the thumb.

When carpal tunnel syndrome is left untreated, the symptoms will likely worsen, involving significant weakness, loss of coordination, and permanent nerve damage in the hand, thumb, fingers, and wrist. With that in mind, it is important to seek medical attention if you have been diagnosed with or are concerned that you have carpal tunnel syndrome.

Numerous treatments and home remedies can help with relieving pain from carpal tunnel syndrome. Some home remedies involve wearing appropriate splints, taking scheduled breaks from repetitive tasks, stretching, and other remedies.

In general, anything that causes increased pressure upon the median nerve in the carpal tunnel on an ongoing basis leads to flare-ups of carpal tunnel syndrome.
 
As a repetitive strain injury, carpal tunnel often flares up due to repeated motions or uses of the hand and wrist that cause wear and tear on the tendons and nerves in the carpal tunnel. Such repetitive strain may happen if you play the piano frequently, have a job that requires a great deal of typing, or frequently work with power tools.
 
With that being said, other common causes of carpal tunnel syndrome do not involve repetitive strain, such as the following:
 
• Diabetes
• Fluid retention from pregnancy or menopause
• High blood pressure
• Thyroid disorders
• Wrist trauma, such as multiple fractures or sprains

As a chronic condition, carpal tunnel syndrome typically lasts for an indefinite amount of time or until it is successfully treated. With that in mind, the length of time that carpal tunnel syndrome lasts varies with each patient according to how quickly they seek treatment and adjust their wrist movements.

Your hand and wrist will be examined by an orthopedic hand specialist to determine what is causing the bothersome symptoms you have been enduring. In addition to doing a physical examination, the hand expert will evaluate your medical history and inquire about the specifics of your daily hand-related activities.
 
Your orthopedic hand specialist can evaluate your wrist to determine whether surgery is the best course of action. Your symptoms, medical history, physical activity, and any required imaging tests will all be reviewed during this assessment.
 
 
Your orthopedic hand surgeon might advise carpal tunnel surgery if:
 
• You’ve experienced agony for over a year.
• You experience tingling and persistent numbness.
• You have trouble gripping and holding onto things.
• You’ve tried conservative measures, but they haven’t helped.
 
NorthShore Orthopedics is dedicated to helping you improve your health and provide extensive treatment for all your musculoskeletal injuries and disorders. Call us today to book an appointment to meet with our foot and ankle specialist, or visit our clinic. We serve patients from Maui, Wailuku HI, Lahaina HI, Kahului HI, Kihei HI, Wailuku HI, Kula HI, Makawao HI, Paia HI, Wailea HI, Haiku HI, and Waihee-Waiehu HI.