Carpal tunnel syndrome is a common condition treated by orthopedists . The carpal tunnel is a narrow structure inside of your wrist which houses flexor tendons and the median nerve, both of which are protected by a type of tissue called synovium. When the synovium swells, pressure is put on the nerve, resulting in numbness in the palm side of the thumb and long fingers. Many factors can cause the synovium to swell and crowd the median nerve, including heredity, hormonal fluctuations, hand usage, age, and medical conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis and diabetes. There are several symptoms that indicate carpal tunnel syndrome. These are often experienced when holding a steering wheel while driving or at night when you are trying to fall asleep.

Numbness or Tingling

The first sign of carpal tunnel syndrome experienced by most people is a numbness or tingling in the thumb and in the index, middle, and ring fingers. If you are suffering from carpal tunnel syndrome, you may notice yourself flexing or shaking your hands to try to relieve this symptom.

Weakness

The median nerve, protected by the carpal tunnel, controls the pinching muscles of the thumb. When it’s compressed, you may have difficulty grasping objects. The numbness caused by this pinching may also make it challenging to feel and control the affected fingers.

Pain

Wrist pain is a common symptom of carpal tunnel syndrome. Some people also experience a discomfort in their arm that runs up toward the shoulder.

In some cases, carpal tunnel syndrome can be treated or prevented by simply improving posture, altering your work environment, or strengthening your hands and fingers with exercises. In severe cases, an orthopedic surgeon may recommend surgery to treat this common ailment. Able Orthopedic & Sports Medicine has more than 20 years of experience diagnosing and treating sports injuries and carpal tunnel syndrome in Queens. Call us at (347) 537-2404 to schedule an appointment and to learn more about our treatment options.