Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Diagnosis & Treatment
Dr. Pamela Mehta, MD
Orthopedic Surgeon, San Jose
Table of Contents
What is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?
Nerve compression leads to pain and numbness in your hand. Without early medical intervention, you may end up requiring wrist surgery.
The cause of carpal tunnel syndrome is pressure on the median nerve as it passes through your wrist. At first, you may notice a minor tingling in your fingers, but as time goes on the compression gradually worsens. Classic symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome include:
- Numbness or tingling in your thumb and first two fingers
- Sudden jolts felt in the thumb, index and middle fingers
- Weakness in your hand that might lead to you feeling clumsy and dropping objects
Carpal tunnel syndrome can become debilitating over time. It can restrict you from performing simple tasks like writing, cooking, or typing due to pain and weakness.
Sometimes you will require surgery for carpal tunnel syndrome.
Carpal Tunnel vs Cubital Tunnel Syndrome
Carpel Tunnel Syndrome
Carpal tunnel syndrome is a condition indicated by pressure onto the median nerve in the carpal tunnel. The carpal tunnel is a narrow passageway surrounded by bones and ligaments on the palm side of your hand. Compression of the median nerve causes symptoms such as:
- Numbness
- Tingling
- Weakness
The symptoms primarily affect your thumb and fingers (thumb, index finger, and middle finger).
Cubital Tunnel Syndrome
Cubital tunnel syndrome, on the other hand, is defined as a neuropathy of the ulnar nerve. The ulnar nerve is a nerve that controls feeling and movement in your hand, ring finger, and pinky finger.
Cubital tunnel syndrome is characterized by pressure or stretching of the ulnar nerve. This causes symptoms such as numbness and shooting pain in the following areas:
- Inner part of your forearm
- Fourth (ring) finger
- Pinky finger
The Difference
The main difference between carpal tunnel vs. cubital tunnel is in the affected nerves and their location:
- Carpal tunnel involves compression of the median nerve at your wrist
- Cubital tunnel syndrome affects the ulnar nerve location at your elbow.
You can tell these conditions apart based on where you feel the pain.
For instance, carpal tunnel causes pain, numbness, or tingling in your:
- Thumb
- Index finger
- Long (middle) finger
A cubital tunnel affects the ring finger and pinky finger.
Carpal tunnel syndrome is more common than cubital tunnel. Estimates show that between 1% and 5% of the general population has carpal tunnel syndrome. Cubital tunnel syndrome is 13 times less common compared to carpal tunnel syndrome. Numbers show that cubital syndrome affects approximately 1.8% of the U.S. population
Book a Consultation with Dr. Pamela Mehta, MD
The Best Orthopedic Surgeon in San Jose
Dr. Mehta is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon who can help you recover from your joint condition.
We can help if you:
- Are Suffering From Pain and Mobility Issues
- Need Orthopedic Assessment and Advice
- Want Treatment From a Top Orthopedic Doctor
Call On 408-559-3888
or Send a Message.
Diagnosis
The diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome requires expert evaluation by a specialist. There are several other conditions which mimic carpal tunnel syndrome, such as:
It’s important that you get the correct diagnostic tests. Appropriate tests can include:
- A thorough physical exam to test the nerves in the hand and the motion at the wrist
- An X-ray to help rule out other conditions
- Electrophysiological tests including nerve conduction studies and electromyogram
Treatment
After getting a diagnosis from a specialist, there are several ways you can improve your symptoms. At Resilience Orthopedics we will help you explore all your non-surgical options. These can include:
- Carpal tunnel exercises, under supervision of an orthopedic surgeon or physical therapist
- Carpal tunnel brace or splint, to help reduce the pressure on your median nerve
- Cortisone injections to reduce inflammation
If your symptoms are severe or not improving, you may require surgery for carpal tunnel syndrome. This is called carpal tunnel release and reduces the pressure on your median nerve at the wrist.
Testimonials
What Hand & Wrist Services Do We Offer?
Hand & Wrist Pain Assessment
We use our hands every day of our lives for some of the most important of life's activities. Hand and wrist pain can be debilitating, meaning you struggle to drive, write, and play sports.
Hand & Wrist Surgery
If your hand condition is severe, or nothing you have tried has helped, Dr. Mehta can advise you on the options for surgery. She is a hand surgeon and can offer expert opinion and care.
Treatment of Hand & Wrist Conditions
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome causes pain and numbness in your hand, and sometimes requires surgery.
De Quervain's Tenosynovitis
De Quervain's Tenosynovitis causes swelling and pain at the base of your thumb.
Wrist Bursitis
Wrist bursitis can cause pain and stiffness if your wrist. Treatment is often non-surgical.
& Many More
Dr. Mehta is experienced in hand and wrist surgery and non-surgical treatments.
Dr. Mehta offers diagnosis and treatment of all hand & wrist conditions and can offer her specialist opinion as an expert hand doctor.
Call Us On 408-559-3888
or Send a Message.
