Carpal Tunnel Treatment

Carpal tunnel syndrome is a painful and debilitating disorder that afflicts more than one million people. Hand specialists at the Rothman Institute provide a variety of treatment options, from conservative care to advanced surgical techniques.

Carpal tunnel syndrome occurs when the median nerve in the hand is pinched, causing pain, numbness, tingling and weakness. Treatment begins conservatively, and moves to more aggressive techniques if the symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome persist.

Conservative methods include:

• Anti-inflammatory medications that can help decrease inflammation and the symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome.
• A wrist brace, which helps stabilize the carpal tunnel.
• Cortisone injections to reduce inflammation.

If symptoms persist, surgery may be necessary.

Carpal tunnel release is a common surgery performed to treat this disorder. Using an open technique, surgeons make a four-centimeter incision down the palm and relieve the pressure on the nerve.

Carpal tunnel release can also be performed through an endoscope. During endoscopic carpal tunnel release, hand surgeons at the Rothman Institute make a small incision and insert a small camera into the carpal tunnel. A small knife attached to the camera is used to release the carpal tunnel.

Both procedures are effective in the treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome. For more information, visit our hand page.