Optimal Treatment for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Disease description:
I have been experiencing frequent pain in my wrist recently, especially in my thumb, index finger, and middle finger. I also occasionally feel numbness, which worsens at night while sleeping. I visited a doctor, who diagnosed me with carpal tunnel syndrome. I would like to know what the best treatment options are for this condition?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Chen Jian
Carpal tunnel syndrome is primarily caused by compression of the median nerve as it passes through the carpal tunnel in the wrist. Symptoms include numbness, tingling, and weakness in the hand, particularly worsening at night or after repetitive hand use. Common treatment methods include:
1. Rest: Patients with early-stage carpal tunnel syndrome should rest appropriately, reduce excessive wrist movements, and balance activities. Wrist splints or braces can be used to immobilize the wrist in a neutral position to help control disease progression.
2. Physical therapy: Includes heat application, ultrasound therapy, and laser therapy to reduce swelling and nerve numbness within the carpal tunnel. Acupressure massage and joint exercises are also effective physical treatments—for example, pressing and rubbing acupoints such as Waiguan (SJ5), Yangxi (LI5), Yuji (LU10), Hegu (LI4), and Laogong (PC8), as well as performing rotational and flexion/extension exercises of the wrist joint.
3. Medication: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen capsules, can relieve pain and inflammation. If symptoms are severe, short-term corticosteroid injections into the carpal tunnel area may be used to effectively reduce nerve compression.
4. Surgical treatment: When conservative treatments are ineffective or symptoms severely affect daily life, surgery may be considered. The goal of surgery is to release the ligament within the carpal tunnel to increase its volume and thereby relieve pressure on the median nerve. Surgical options include both open surgery and endoscopic surgery.
