Pain, tingling and numbness in the hand should not be ignored. Such symptoms are often indicative of the presence of carpal tunnel syndrome. Carpal tunnel occurs when pressure is put on the median nerve in the wrist.
Pressure on the median nerve can eventually become very painful and require surgery to alleviate the pain. While surgery is not the first option, it may be the end result of a carpal tunnel diagnosis.
Surgery is promptly considered in cases where extreme pain is occurring or function is greatly impaired. Completed tests indicating damage or potential damage to the median nerve may prompt a physician to recommend surgery as the first option.
Before surgery is chosen, doctors often try anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen. Diuretics, often referred to as water pills, can reduce swelling and are recommended in some cases.
Exercises directed by a physical or occupational therapist can be beneficial to reduce pain and discomfort of carpal tunnel syndrome. Stretching and strengthening exercises may keep symptoms at bay in some patients with less severe cases.
Once medications and exercises have been tried and symptoms still exist, physicians will discuss surgery. The surgery is a routine procedure requiring no overnight hospital stay. The wrist may lose strength, requiring the patient to undergo physical therapy for quite some time.
After the surgery, patients are normally instructed to flex the hand and fingers to reduce stiffness and swelling. Some patients fear this will hamper the quality of the stitches, but it does not. It lessens the chance of scar tissue developing under the skin at the nerve.
While patients are not pain-free after surgery, pain is lessened. Pressure on the median nerve on the wrist is stopped, diminishing the discomfort felt prior to surgery.
The procedure involves cutting at the palm and wrist. Stitches are removed about two weeks after surgery. Four weeks after the procedure, a scar develops. It will be thickened and tender. It is natural to worry about permanent scarring.
Some patients scar easier than others. The amount of scarring has nothing to do with the effectiveness of the procedure. It is reasonable to not want unsightly scars on the hand.
The use of scar removal creams are effective in lessening the effects of scarring. With repeated use, certain products have the ability to make scars completely unnoticeable. With usage of an effective scar reduction cream, the procedure will soon be a distant memory for patients living without pain and scarring.
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