Different Treatments of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

item

Carpal tunnel syndrome treatment will help to reduce the symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome by eliminating the muscle imbalance that causes compression of the median nerve.  We’ve outlined some elements of treatment below:

Conservative Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Treatment

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen can reduce swelling, and relieve pain. This can be effective at treating the symptoms, but not the underlying cause of CTS.  Some side effects like nausea, stomach upsets and stomach ulcers.

Physical Therapy: A patient may go for the supervised hand and wrist strengthening exercise program, which is usually offered by physical or occupational therapists.

One study found that with this Physical Therapy that included exercises to improve balance and posture, most people with CTS felt improvement after two months.

Non surgery treatment can also be done using Laser Light Therapy. In this Laser Therapy low-energy laser light that penetrates, but does not cut the skin and stimulates cells activity in the injured areas. Ultrasound is another conservative method, which is considered to be a safe procedure that bombards the wrist with sound waves.

Related:

The Best Ergonomic Office Chairs in 2017 (Buying Guide)

Using an ergonomic chair will help prevent and ease the symptoms of carpal tunnel and other RSI.

Non-Surgical Methods

One of the non-surgical methods is conservative therapy. It is critical to begin treating early stages of symptoms before the damage is severe.

The patient should avoid if possible repetitive activities at work or home that may worsen the syndrome. Conservative treatment works best in men of age under 40 and least well in young women.

The affected hand and wrist is to be given rest for at least two weeks, which allows it to  shrink and release the pressure on the median nerve. For this Ice may provide additional relief.

It is been reported some patients that alternating warm and cold soaks have been more beneficial. If hot applications relieve pain, it is most likely that the problem might not be caused by CTS but by some other condition producing similar sought of symptoms.

The wrist splints or brace also work for some people, which are worn at nights or during sports, which helps to keep the wrist from bending. The splint is used for several weeks or months depending on the severity of the problem. Except for anecdotal reports, no evidence exists that these supports actually help to reduce the pain. Some experts even believe that wrist supports may actually intensify the problem by reducing blood circulation and restricting the movement of hand by which the shoulder muscles tense up.

One of the non-surgical treatments is the Drug treatment. The nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), like the ibuprofen or the aspirin, can help to reduce the swelling and pain. The doctor may inject an anesthetic or a corticosteroid like the cortisone into the carpal tunnel to reduce the swollen tissues and relieve pressure on the nerve, if the painkillers don’t work. Just three injections of cortisone should be given to avoid abrasion of the tendon.

It is important to note that the pain may increase for a day or two after the injection and even the skin color may change. Diuretics, like the trichlormethiazide, which reduce fluid in the body, can be used. In one study, a short-term regimen of low doses of the oral corticosteroid prednisolone was more effective than either the diuretic trichlormethiazide or an NSAID (tenoxicam).

In fact, a placebo (a “sugar” pill) is more effective than the NSAID or the diuretic. if used for long periods the Oral corticosteroids can have serious side effects, however, and the study did not continue beyond one month, so long-term risks and benefits of this treatment for CTS are unknown. The naftidrofuryl (Praxilene) drug dilates the bloods vessels, which increases oxygen transport, and appears to have some ability for nerve regeneration.

It was used in Europe after CTS surgery to treat the atrophied palm of the hand. All patients who were treated in the study showed total or partial recovery. High doses of this drug have potential side effects of causing kidney problems.

Some studies, have reported that vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) deficiency is associated with CTS. Which is been supported by a recent study, furthermore, the recent study reported that high levels of vitamin B6 show fewer CTS symptoms. The same study also reported that high levels of vitamin C relatives to the low levels of vitamin B6 were associated with a higher existence and greater frequency of symptoms. It should be noted that taking higher doses of vitamin B6 could be toxic and can even cause nerve damage.

Other treatments:

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Exercises

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Surgery