Carpal Tunnel Surgery Can Be Avoided
If your job requires you to work closely with your hands and wrists, you may have an inkling about what carpal tunnel syndrome feels like. You can recognize that tightening in your forearm, and the numbness and even pain you will begin to feel in your wrists and hands. You know what it feels like to wake up from a sound sleep with these sensations, and you may be wondering what in the world you can do about it.
To understand carpal tunnel syndrome, you need to understand the physiology of the syndrome. Carpal tunnel syndrome, quite simply, is the tightening of the wrist that compresses the median nerve and causes all of the typical symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome. It can be a debilitating and sometimes excruciating condition that requires some sort of intervention to repair.
If you rely on your hands and arms for a living, carpal tunnel syndrome can be a big problem. Typists and those who spend hours on the computer know that this problem may cost them their job. Similar stresses worry construction workers, painters and even hair stylists. When the pain affects your work, it is not unusual to lose some of your productivity. Most people take it for granted that their hands will continue to do everything they need to do without complaint. When they begin feeling the symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome, they may be surprised.
Surgery is a common recommendation for people with severe cases of carpal tunnel syndrome. This procedure may be done using "twilight anesthesia." The surgical procedure cuts the transverse carpal ligament to relive the pressure on the nerve. This ongoing pressure can cause permanent damage if it s not relieved. The transverse carpal ligament wraps across the bottom of the hand, helping to contain many other vertical ligaments and nerves in the carpal tunnel. By cutting this ligament, it makes more space for all the vessels and nerves contained in this tunnel. The transverse ligament eventually will fuse back together with scar tissue, leaving more room for the ligaments and nerves to pass beneath.
No one can predict the true outcome of any surgery. When you are dealing with a complicated area containing small bones, ligaments and muscles like the hand and wrist, this can make it even more unpredictable. Costs of surgery and rehabilitation can cost up to $10,000 or more and you may still find yourself with symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome. There is also the possibility of losing strength in your arms and wrists.
Prevention and relief of carpal tunnel syndrome may be easier than you think. Take a few days off from whatever it is you do that aggravates your condition. This rest period will help, even if it is only a short time. Start some simple wrist exercises that will help stretch the transverse carpal ligament. This will help take the pressure off everything inside the carpal tunnel. You may need to work with a physical therapist to find the perfect stretches for you. Results should be felt almost immediately. Surgery should always be a last resort.
Preventing carpal tunnel is fairly easy. With only a little effort, the stretches and exercises will reduce the compression of your median nerve so you can avoid surgery.
To understand carpal tunnel syndrome, you need to understand the physiology of the syndrome. Carpal tunnel syndrome, quite simply, is the tightening of the wrist that compresses the median nerve and causes all of the typical symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome. It can be a debilitating and sometimes excruciating condition that requires some sort of intervention to repair.
If you rely on your hands and arms for a living, carpal tunnel syndrome can be a big problem. Typists and those who spend hours on the computer know that this problem may cost them their job. Similar stresses worry construction workers, painters and even hair stylists. When the pain affects your work, it is not unusual to lose some of your productivity. Most people take it for granted that their hands will continue to do everything they need to do without complaint. When they begin feeling the symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome, they may be surprised.
Surgery is a common recommendation for people with severe cases of carpal tunnel syndrome. This procedure may be done using "twilight anesthesia." The surgical procedure cuts the transverse carpal ligament to relive the pressure on the nerve. This ongoing pressure can cause permanent damage if it s not relieved. The transverse carpal ligament wraps across the bottom of the hand, helping to contain many other vertical ligaments and nerves in the carpal tunnel. By cutting this ligament, it makes more space for all the vessels and nerves contained in this tunnel. The transverse ligament eventually will fuse back together with scar tissue, leaving more room for the ligaments and nerves to pass beneath.
No one can predict the true outcome of any surgery. When you are dealing with a complicated area containing small bones, ligaments and muscles like the hand and wrist, this can make it even more unpredictable. Costs of surgery and rehabilitation can cost up to $10,000 or more and you may still find yourself with symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome. There is also the possibility of losing strength in your arms and wrists.
Prevention and relief of carpal tunnel syndrome may be easier than you think. Take a few days off from whatever it is you do that aggravates your condition. This rest period will help, even if it is only a short time. Start some simple wrist exercises that will help stretch the transverse carpal ligament. This will help take the pressure off everything inside the carpal tunnel. You may need to work with a physical therapist to find the perfect stretches for you. Results should be felt almost immediately. Surgery should always be a last resort.
Preventing carpal tunnel is fairly easy. With only a little effort, the stretches and exercises will reduce the compression of your median nerve so you can avoid surgery.
About the Author:
Many carpal tunnel sufferers are told they need surgery when looking for relief from their pain. However, what some doctors keep from their patients is that invasive surgery doesn't always alleviate all of your symptoms and can actually cause more problems. Follow this link to learn about avoiding carpal tunnel surgery.
