Treatment and Prevention
First, your doctor will treat any underlying problems (e.g., diabetes, arthritis). Your doctor may also recommend resting the hand and wrist, and using a brace or splint, especially when sleeping. These can prevent further injury to the median nerve.
Medications can help the pain and inflammation associated with carpal tunnel syndrome. Pain medications might be recommended or prescribed by your doctor, including acetaminophen*, ibuprofen, naproxen, or aspirin. Occasionally, corticosteroids are injected into the carpal tunnel to ease swelling and relieve pain. Your doctor may also recommend applying heat to help with pain or cold to help with pain and swelling.
Very severe cases might require an operation on the hand. Carpal tunnel release surgery is done on the wrist and forearm. The surgeon cuts the transverse ligament that is pressing on the nerve. The gap fills with scar tissue and the pressure is relieved. Once the nerve is no longer being "pinched," the pain usually goes away and the hand can function normally again.
Pregnant women who experience carpal tunnel syndrome often improve a short time after the delivery of their baby.
Improving the comfort level and ergonomics of the workplace can also be very effective. This may include stretching exercises, taking frequent breaks, using proper posture, and repositioning your keyboard. People who do a lot of work on computers should be especially aware of things they can do to avoid overuse of their joints, muscles, and ligaments - especially the wrists.
*All medications have both common (generic) and brand names. The brand name is what a specific manufacturer calls the product (e.g., Tylenol®). The common name is the medical name for the medication (e.g., acetaminophen). A medication may have many brand names, but only one common name. This article lists medications by their common names. For more information on brand names, speak with your doctor or pharmacist.
Jeffrey Heit, MD, Internist with special emphasis on preventive health, fitness and nutrition, Philadelphia VA Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.