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Carpal Tunnel
Carpal tunnel is a condition whereby the nerve in the wrist (median nerve) becomes compressed due to slowly developing anatomy changes in the wrist. Factors that can contribute to this condition are repeated work activities involving the wrist, arthritic changes in the bones of the wrist, pregnancy, connective tissue disease and conditions which cause water retention in the body or arm. In the beginning, symptoms may be numbness in the fingers that comes and goes depending on position. Later in the condition, aching wrist pain may follow and this pain may only be relieved by certain hand positions. Finally, wasting away of the hand muscles and profound weakness of the hand may result if treatment is not applied.
Once the condition has been diagnosed, the easiest treatment plan is the wearing of a carpal tunnel splint at night on the affected wrist. This keeps the wrist in a resting position and allows optimal blood flow to the wrist and nerve.
If the condition progresses or does not improve, Dr. Brennan will recommend carpal tunnel release surgery. This procedure takes 15 minutes to perform and patients are treated on an outpatient basis. The surgery is minimally invasive and involves a ¼ inch incision at the wrist which is closed with one stitch and a band-aid. Patients return to work or recreation in a matter of days. |
