Treatment and Prevention
A brace or splint is often the first step in treatment to support the hands
during the night or day. These can prevent further injury to the median
nerve. Try to improve the ergonomics or comfort level of your environment. Move
your keyboard and change your position from time to time.
Medications can treat the pain and inflammation. Pain-killing medications
might be prescribed by your doctor, including acetaminophen, ibuprofen, and
aspirin.* Occasionally, corticosteroids are injected into the carpal tunnel to ease
swelling and relieve pain.
Very severe cases might require an operation on the hand. Carpal tunnel
release surgery is done on the wrist and forearm. The surgeon simply cuts the
transverse ligament that is pressing on the nerve. The gap fills with scar tissue
and the pressure is relieved. Once the nerve isn't being "pinched"
anymore, the pain 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.
*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.