Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Treatment Q&A

Symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome should be treated as soon as possible after they appear. There are a variety of treatment options, such as wrist splinting, medications, therapy, injections, and surgery. Those with mild to moderate symptoms that come and go for less than 10 months are more likely to benefit from splinting and other conservative treatments. Healthcare providers should be consulted if you have numbness in your hands.

Nonsurgical methods may help improve carpal tunnel syndrome if diagnosed early. Nighttime symptoms of tingling and numbness can be relieved with a splint that holds the wrist still while you sleep. Despite only wearing the splint at night, it can also help prevent daytime symptoms. If you’re pregnant, nighttime splinting may be a good option because it doesn’t require medication to be effective.

In the short term, NSAIDs, such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others), may relieve carpal tunnel syndrome pain. However, there is no direct evidence that these drugs may improve carpal tunnel syndrome. Corticosteroids, such as cortisone, may be injected into the carpal tunnel to relieve pain. These injections are sometimes guided by ultrasound.

By reducing inflammation and swelling, corticosteroids relieve pressure on the median nerve. Injections of corticosteroids are considered more effective than oral corticosteroids for treating carpal tunnel syndrome.

Rheumatoid arthritis or another inflammatory arthritis may cause carpal tunnel syndrome, so treating arthritis may reduce symptoms. The use of surgery may be appropriate if symptoms are severe or do not respond to other treatments.

By cutting the ligament pressing on the median nerve, carpal tunnel surgery relieves pressure. It is possible to perform the surgery either endoscopically or openly. To view inside the carpal tunnel, your surgeon uses a telescope-like device with a tiny camera attached (endoscope). Through one or two small incisions in your hand or wrist, your surgeon cuts the ligament. To guide the tool that cuts the ligament, some surgeons use ultrasound instead of a telescope.

During the first few days or weeks after surgery, endoscopic surgery may cause less pain than open surgery. To free the nerve, during open surgery, your surgeon makes an incision in the palm of your hand over the carpal tunnel.

Pressure on the median nerve is what causes carpal tunnel syndrome. On the palm side of the hand, the carpal tunnel is a narrow passageway surrounded by bones and ligaments. A compressed median nerve can cause numbness, tingling, and weakness in the hands and arms. Carpal tunnel syndrome is caused by the anatomy of the wrist, health problems, and repetitive hand motions.

During the early stages, simple things you can do for yourself may be able to solve the problem. Rest your hands more frequently, avoid activities that make symptoms worse, and apply cold packs to reduce swelling, are ways to improve the condition. These are home remedies for immediate relief of carpal tunnel however, seeking treatment early gives patients the best opportunity for a prompt and full recovery.

As soon as carpal tunnel pain appears, it is unlikely to go away on its own without treatment. Surgery is not the only option, however. Physical therapy, splints, stretching, and behavioral modification are recommended for early or mild cases of carpal tunnel syndrome.

Yes, HSA (Health Savings Account) funds can generally be used to pay for medically necessary carpal tunnel syndrome treatments when they meet IRS requirements for qualified medical expenses. Eligible expenses may include physician consultations, diagnostic testing, wrist splints, and certain non-surgical procedures used to manage median nerve compression. At OmniSpine Pain Management, our team evaluates each patient’s symptoms and medical history to determine appropriate treatment options. Patients should confirm eligibility with their HSA administrator and verify accepted payment methods with our clinic before scheduling treatment.

At OmniSpine Pain Management Clinics, Dr. Andrew Morchower and our team provide personalized care for patients experiencing carpal tunnel syndrome symptoms, including hand numbness, tingling, pain, and weakness. We carefully evaluate each patient’s symptoms, medical history, and individual needs to develop a customized treatment plan. Our goal is to help reduce discomfort, improve hand function, and support long-term symptom management through appropriate, patient-centered treatment options. For more information, contact us today or book an appointment online. We are conveniently located at 600 E. Taylor St, Suite 308 Sherman, TX 75090. We serve patients Sherman TX, Allen TX, Fairview TX, Prosper TX, Addison TX, Plano TX, The Colony TX and surrounding areas.