You likely have heard about carpal tunnel syndrome
Most people have heard of carpal tunnel syndrome in the past but many do not realize that one day, they too could suffer from it. Years of computer keyboard use with poor posture and too stress lead to the condition. Pain is the first sign of trouble but the wrists may feel numb and weak, too. You’ve taken the time to learn about it and you are not sure if you should have surgery to repair the damage, even if your doctor has suggested it to you.
Before you decide on having the surgery, think about the other possible options you have to avoid it, such as alternative treatments. They can help to reduce some of your pain and allow you to forgo the surgery for some time. There are times when surgery is the best way to go, but because it is expensive and offers only short term benefits, consider other options first.
Repetitive action is the main culprit here. That may come from throwing a ball too often or typing too much or any job that requires you to use your wrists in the same way over and over again. Because you are repeating the motion so many times, this causes the tightening of the transverse carpal ligament. This ligament has the job of holding all the ligaments in this region of your wrist in place.
The process only worsens. This ligament tightens put which leads to added pressure on the median nerve, which then is inflamed and painful. Often, this leads to a tingling, numbness in the region. Your wrists and hands may feel weak and many times, there is pain running through the wrist, into the hand and fingers and even straight up the arm, right along the nerve pathways. The more you do this action, the more pain you are in and ultimately the more difficult it is to perform the action.
Surgery for carpal tunnel is simple but can have long-term repercussions for the person having the surgery. While it is not a long and complicated surgery, the surgeon does actually cut the transverse carpal ligament and that can cause loss of strength in your hands and arms down the road. However, for the short term, this relieves the pressure on the median nerve and gives instant relief from the symptoms of carpal tunnel.
Aside from problems later on down the road, having this surgery requires at least 6 weeks of therapy and healing for the transverse carpal ligament. It isn’t a fun recovery, and the outcome is completely unknown. For these reasons alone you might consider some alternative techniques to relieving your carpal tunnel pain.
There are several things you can do, including stretching the ligament regularly, right before and just after you have performed the motion causing pain. Doing this helps to reduce the amount of pressure that is placed on the ligament itself. You can also improve posture and avoid the activities that cause so much of the pain, or at least take a break from them every known and then. Stretching is definitely a better option than paying ten thousand dollars for surgery.
Sometimes, these alternative options may not be enough to avoid surgery for carpal tunnel syndrome. Get a second opinion first. Be sure you are doing everything you can to avoid the surgery even working with a physical therapist.
