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Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Treatment & Prevention Options

Treatment options include:

I. Non-Surgical Treatments:

• Physical Exercises: Stretching and strengthening exercises under the supervision of physiotherapist can help treat CTS.

• Drugs: Non-Steroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) such as aspirin and ibuprofen can be used effectively to relieve pain and ease short termed symptoms. Oral diuretics can be used to reduce swelling. Corticosteroids such as prednisone are injected into the wrist to reduce inflammation and relieve pressure on median nerve providing temporary relief for persons suffering from mild or intermittent symptoms (5).

• Wrist Splints: Wrist Splints can be worn for 8 weeks to alleviate pain and symptoms (8).

II. Surgery:

• Open Release Surgery: In this traditional procedure, a 2 inches incision is made in the wrist and the carpal ligament is cut to enable the expansion of carpal tunnel.

• Endoscopic Surgery: In this type, two incisions measuring about ½ inch are made on the palm and the wrist and a camera attached to a tube is inserted to observe the tissue on a screen and the carpal ligament cut to relieve the median nerve of pressure (5).

Prevention Methods

Some of the measures to prevent CTS include:

1. Musculoskeletal injury at work place must be avoided by having the workspace and equipment at appropriate height and distance for the hands and wrist to work with the least amount of strain.

2. About 10-15 minutes break and rest for hands every hour is the best way to prevent CTS.

3. Repetitive movements must be avoided or a different muscle movement may be used during each hour.

4. Grip may be relaxed often in order to rest the muscle.

5. Simple wrist movements such as flexing and bending the wrist at regular intervals during work can effectively prevent CTS.

6. Keeping the hands warm during work can prevent CTS (8).

Article by Kona Vishnu, MS
Medical Writer,
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