Does Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Require Surgery?

Carpal tunnel syndrome is a common condition that affects your hand and wrist, often causing pain, numbness, and weakness that can interfere with your daily life. This condition occurs when your median nerve, which runs from your forearm into your palm, gets compressed as it passes through your carpal tunnel, a narrow passageway in your wrist.

Repetitive hand movements, prolonged wrist positioning, and certain medical conditions like diabetes or arthritis can all contribute to carpal tunnel syndrome and its painful symptoms. If you’re bothered by wrist or hand pain, don’t let it go undiagnosed and untreated.

Our team at Full Orthopedics Urgent Care in North Miami Beach, Florida, can help you find relief from your discomfort — and it doesn’t always require surgery. In fact, most people find that conservative care is enough to manage their carpal tunnel symptoms.

Symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome

The symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome typically start gradually and may worsen with time. Common signs include:

• Tingling or numbness in your thumb, index, middle, or ring fingers, especially at night or after using your hands repetitively
• A weakened grip or difficulty holding objects
• Pain or discomfort that radiates from your fingers up your arm (pain may worsen with activities like typing, writing, or driving)
• Finger stiffness, particularly in the morning

If you experience any of these symptoms regularly, carpal tunnel syndrome may be to blame. Seeking prompt medical attention is the first step to getting a diagnosis and starting treatment, and we’re here to help.

Nonsurgical treatment for carpal tunnel syndrome

Carpal tunnel syndrome has the power to significantly limit your hand function, but most cases can be managed without surgery, especially if it’s identified early. At Full Orthopedics Urgent Care, our capable team has the expertise and equipment to diagnose your symptoms and recommend a treatment plan to help you start healing faster.

Our nonsurgical treatments focus on reducing inflammation, relieving pressure on your median nerve, and improving wrist function. Some of the most effective approaches include:

Wrist splinting

Wearing a splint at night helps keep your wrist in a neutral position, preventing excessive pressure on your median nerve while you sleep. This is often the first-line treatment for mild to moderate cases. We can recommend wrist splints to fit your needs.

Activity modification

Avoiding repetitive hand movements or taking frequent breaks helps minimize strain on your wrist and reduce carpal tunnel discomfort. Ergonomic adjustments to your workspace, like using a wrist-friendly keyboard or a cushioned mouse pad, can also help minimize symptoms.

Anti-inflammatory medications

Over-the-counter medications like ibuprofen can help reduce swelling and alleviate pain. If your symptoms persist, we may recommend corticosteroid injections to provide stronger temporary relief and reduce inflammation around your median nerve.

Physical therapy

Finally, stretching and strengthening exercises can make a big difference in improving wrist mobility and reducing pressure on your median nerve. Your physical therapist can guide you through hand and wrist exercises to improve function, and they may even include exercises specific to your work or hobbies if they require repetitive wrist movement.

When surgery is necessary for carpal tunnel syndrome

Nonsurgical treatments are effective for many people with carpal tunnel syndrome, but sometimes, surgery is necessary to prevent permanent nerve damage. If your symptoms continue despite conservative treatments or if muscle weakness and loss of function become severe, you may be a good candidate for a procedure called carpal tunnel release.

This surgery involves cutting the ligament that’s pressing on your median nerve to create more space in your carpal tunnel, relieving pressure and restoring normal function. At Full Orthopedics Urgent Care, we focus on nonsurgical solutions first, but we can refer you to an orthopedic surgeon if needed.

You don’t have to live with the pain of carpal tunnel syndrome, and you have a lot of treatment options to try before considering surgery. To learn more and get a treatment plan that’s right for you, Call our office to schedule an appointment or check in online to get started.