Diagnosis & Treatment of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Carpal tunnel is an insidious disease, but it is one that is quite easy to treat if detected at a sufficiently early stage. If left to its own devices, carpal tunnel syndrome can cause permanent damage to the median nerve. This only underscores the need for early detection and treatment.

Diagnosing for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

The most basic test used to determine the presence of carpal tunnel syndrome is a physical examination of the patient in the areas which are possibly affected. These areas include the hands, the arms, the shoulders, and even the neck. The test is done to isolate the cause of any underlying pain or discomfort, as well as to determine whether or not the pain is related to one's daily activities or a physical disorder.

Doctors use a variety of specific tests to determine whether or not a patient has carpal tunnel syndrome. By inducing the patient into a variety of positions and actions, they will be able to see if a patient I really suffering from carpal tunnel syndrome, and not a similar condition. Electrodiagnostic tests, ultrasound imaging, and magnetic resonance imaging may all be used to determine not only the presence of carpal tunnel syndrome, but also the extent of the damage to the median nerve.

Treating Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

A sort of first-aid treatment is usually applied to carpal tunnel syndrome cases. First, the affected wrist or hand is rested for a suitable period of time, often a couple of weeks or more. During this period, the patient is not allowed to engage in the activities that led to the condition in the first place. Second, a cast or a splint may also be placed in order to avoid unnecessary movements of the wrist or hand, whether the patient is conscious of them or not. This is because bending or twisting the hand or wrist at this time may result in further damage.

Carpal tunnel is treated in a variety of ways: drugs, surgery, and even plain rehabilitation methods can be used. Drugs are used not to treat the condition itself, but the symptoms that the condition causes. Symptoms such as pain or swelling become more bearable when medication is used. A surgical method, called carpal tunnel release, is a commonly-performed procedure that aims to ease any compression problems. Exercise, acupuncture, and chiropractic treatments have all shown promise when it comes to treating carpal tunnel syndrome.