Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Samuel S. Abrams, MD

Hand and Upper Extremity & Hand and Upper Extremity Surgeon located in Asheville, NC & Hendersonville, NC

Carpal tunnel syndrome causes hand pain, numbness, and tingling that usually worsens over time. Board-certified hand and upper-extremity orthopedic surgeon Samuel S. Abrams, MD, offers minimally invasive, wide-awake surgery for many hand procedures, including carpal tunnel release, at three locations in Asheville, Hendersonville, and Arden, North Carolina. Call or book an appointment online today to find out if minimally invasive carpal tunnel release is right for you.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Q & A

What is carpal tunnel syndrome?

Carpal tunnel syndrome is a common cause of pain, numbness, and weakness in the hand and arm. This condition is a result of pressure on the median nerve, which is one of the major nerves that serves your hand. The nerve gets squeezed as it passes through the carpal tunnel, which is a narrow passage in your wrist.

Without treatment, carpal tunnel syndrome gets worse over time and may lead to permanent nerve damage. Dr. Abrams specializes in minimally invasive procedures, including carpal tunnel release.

What are the symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome?

Most of the time, carpal tunnel syndrome symptoms develop slowly and aren’t related to a specific injury. Symptoms affect the thumb, index, middle, and ring finger, and may include:

Numbness or tingling
Burning pain
Electric shocklike sensations
Pain that travels up the arm
Weakness in the hand that may cause you to drop things

You should call Dr. Abrams if any of these symptoms interfere with your daily activities or cause trouble sleeping at night.

What methods diagnose carpal tunnel syndrome?

First, Dr. Abrams reviews your symptoms and medical history. He carefully examines your hand and wrist, checking for muscle weakness, numbness, or tingling.

Electrophysiological tests measure how well the nerves of your arm including your median nerve is functioning. These tests may include a nerve conduction study (NCS) and electromyogram (EMG).

What treatments are available for carpal tunnel syndrome?

After he diagnoses your condition, Dr. Abrams recommends the best course of treatment. If your symptoms are mild, treatment may begin with nonsurgical methods, including:

Bracing or splinting
Activity modification
Occupational therapy
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medication
Steroid injections

Surgery may be necessary if your symptoms persist or if the carpal tunnel syndrome has gone on for a long time without treatment. Surgical treatment for carpal tunnel syndrome is called carpal tunnel release. This minimally invasive procedure relieves pressure on the median nerve by dividing the ligament that runs across it.

Dr. Abrams offers the most advanced treatment options including wide-awake carpal tunnel release surgery. This minimally invasive procedure doesn’t require general anesthesia, which lowers the cost and risk for you. Wide-awake carpal tunnel release surgery can also lead to a faster recovery so you can return to normal activities earlier.

To learn more about minimally invasive carpal tunnel release, call Samuel S. Abrams, MD, or book an appointment online today.

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