CARPAL TUNNEL SYNDROME
What happens in carpal tunnel syndrome?
Carpal tunnel syndrome means damage to the median nerve caused by pressure. This leads to numbness, pain in the hand or weakness. At the wrist, the median nerve and the flexor tendons that run to the fingers pass through the carpal tunnel. Its lower part is formed by the carpal bones, with a firm ligament lying over them.
Symptoms
Numbness
The thumb, index finger, middle finger and part of the ring finger go to sleep and tingle
Pain in the hand
Pain in the hand occurring above all at night, at times radiating into the arm
Weakness in the hand
The muscles of the thumb pad waste away, so there is less strength
What causes the condition?
Carpal tunnel syndrome is usually caused by thickening of the gliding tissue around the tendons in the carpal tunnel, brought on for example by the menopause, pregnancy or an underactive thyroid.
My fingers go to sleep at night – what should I do?
The symptoms should be assessed by a hand surgeon and with a nerve conduction study by a neurologist. Depending on the pain and the symptoms, and on the result of the nerve measurement, an operation should be carried out. Where the fingers regularly go to sleep and sensation is reduced, a timely operation prevents the risk of lasting damage. If the symptoms occur only very occasionally and sensation returns to normal completely in between, there is no hurry.
Treatment options
Non-surgical and surgical – we will find the right approach for you
Night splint
The night splint holds the wrist in a neutral, slightly extended position and prevents it bending unintentionally during sleep. This markedly reduces the pressure on the median nerve
Corticosteroid injection
A corticosteroid is a strongly anti-inflammatory drug. Injected into the carpal tunnel, it can reduce the swelling quickly, relieve the pressure on the nerve and markedly improve symptoms such as tingling, numbness and pain at night.
Vitamin B
Vitamin B preparations, in particular vitamin B1 (thiamine), B6 (pyridoxine) and B12 (cobalamin), are often used as an additional measure in carpal tunnel syndrome. They support the regeneration of damaged nerve fibres, improve nerve conduction and can so relieve the symptoms.
Decompression of the median nerve
In carpal tunnel syndrome the transverse carpal ligament (the flexor retinaculum) is divided. This creates more room for the nerve again, and the pressure in the carpal tunnel is reduced permanently.
Our hand specialists
Experienced consultants for carpal tunnel syndrome and hand surgery
