Carpal Tunnel Prevention, Diagnosis, and Treatment at AHN Forbes Hospital

If numbness, tingling, or weakness in your hand keeps coming back, it may be time to get it checked. AHN Forbes Hospital orthopaedic specialists can evaluate you for carpal tunnel syndrome, a common condition that can be treated. 

Common signs to watch for

Carpal tunnel syndrome happens when a nerve in your wrist is under pressure. This affects feeling and strength in your hand. The symptoms may start small but can occur more often or become constant over time. 

Common symptoms include:

• Numbness or tingling in your thumb, index, and middle fingers (but not the pinky)
• Pain or burning in your hand or wrist
• Weakness or trouble gripping objects
• Dropping objects more often
• Waking up with your hand feeling “asleep”

If these symptoms don’t go away or start affecting your grip strength, it may be a sign the condition is getting worse, and you should get checked out.

“When that nerve is under pressure, it doesn’t send signals effectively,” said Richard McKinney, MD, orthopaedic surgeon at AHN. “Over time, that can lead to numbness, pain, and weakness in the hand.”

Carpal tunnel prevention

Carpal tunnel syndrome is very common and can affect anyone. But some people are more likely to develop it, including:

• Women, especially during pregnancy
• People living with diabetes, thyroid disease, or obesity
• People who do repeated hand motions like typing, using tools, and playing sports or video games

Carpal tunnel syndrome is not always preventable, but you can lower your risk by:

• Taking breaks from repeated hand movements
• Avoiding long periods of gripping or bending your wrist
• Keeping your wrists in a neutral position while working
• Doing gentle hand and wrist exercises

Even with these habits, carpal tunnel can still develop. Early care can help keep the condition from getting worse.

Carpal tunnel diagnosis

Getting a carpal tunnel diagnosis usually starts with a simple exam. Our orthopaedic specialists will ask about your symptoms and check your hand and wrist.

In some cases, they may suggest a test called an electromyography (EMG) to measure how well signals move through your nerves.

“Carpal tunnel is often something we can diagnose based on symptoms and an exam,” said Dr. McKinney. “But testing can help us understand how severe it is.”

Carpal tunnel relief without surgery

At Forbes, treatment often starts with simple, effective options to relieve pressure on the nerve and improve symptoms.

Your care plan may include:

• Wearing a wrist splint, especially while sleeping
• Injections to reduce swelling
• Nerve gliding exercises to improve mobility
• Changing or stopping activities that trigger symptoms

When surgery is needed and what to expect

If your symptoms do not improve or get worse, surgery may be an option. Your care team may recommend surgery if:

• Numbness does not go away
• Your hand feels weak
• You are dropping objects often
• Symptoms are affecting your sleep or daily life

Carpal tunnel surgery is a common procedure. An orthopaedic surgeon makes a small incision in your wrist to release a tight ligament and relieve pressure off the nerve.

At Forbes, carpal tunnel surgery is often done on an outpatient basis. Most patients only need local anesthesia and can go home the same day.

Recovery from carpal tunnel surgery

During recovery from carpal tunnel surgery, most people can expect:

• Light use of the hand within a few days
• To return to work within a few days to a couple of weeks
• Full recovery in several weeks

Success rate of carpal tunnel surgery

Carpal tunnel surgery is highly effective, with 90–95% of patients finding relief.

With early treatment, many people feel much better or have no symptoms at all. Symptoms rarely come back, and if they do, it’s usually not until many years later as the body changes.

Relief starts with the right care

Carpal tunnel syndrome can affect anyone. But with early diagnosis and the right treatment, relief is possible. 

If you’re experiencing symptoms, call 877-660-6777 to schedule an appointment with an orthopaedic specialist at AHN Forbes Hospital.