Carpal tunnel syndrome is a condition that can cause tingling, numbness, and weakness in your hand. This happens when the median nerve -- which runs the length of your arm and through your hand -- is compressed. This nerve controls the movement and feeling in your thumbs and fingers, with the exception of your pinky on each hand.
If you might suspect that you are being affected by carpal tunnel syndrome, symptoms you may experience include:
Symptoms may be most noticeable at night, and can feel like your hand has fallen asleep. Once you wake up, you may notice the numbness and tingling in your hands has run up to your shoulders. Symptoms may go away after moving around, but after some time -- numbness may not go away on its own.
More often than not, people don't know what caused their carpal tunnel syndrome. Some common causes include:
If you are unsure what caused your symptoms, you may have a better idea by knowing the risk factors of carpal tunnel syndrome. This can include:
Diagnostic tests can be used to help your provider determine if you have carpal tunnel syndrome. These tests can be X-rays, MRIs, ultrasounds, and more. Once you have been diagnosed with carpal tunnel syndrome, there are a variety of ways you can treat it -- depending on how severe it is and your lifestyle.
Non-surgical treatment options
Carpal tunnel syndrome can be treated using non-surgical methods including:
Surgical treatment option
Carpal tunnel release is a common surgical procedure used to treat carpal tunnel syndrome and its symptoms.
Dr. Ganesh Ramachandran completed a fellowship in orthopedic hand and microvascular surgery at the Christine M. Kleinert Institute for Hand and Micro Surgery at the University of Louisville School of Medicine in Kentucky. He treats pain and injury to wrist, hand, and fingers including carpal tunnel syndrome, trigger finger entrapment, deQuerveins disease, fractures , and tendon injuries. Dr. Ramachandran is located in the LMPN Orthopedics Suite, located at 1101 Michigan Avenue in Logansport.
For all of your orthopedic needs, including treating conditions and injuries to the hands, wrists, and fingers -- trust our Orthopedics team at Logansport Memorial Hospital for all of your care needs.