HealthInfo Waitaha Canterbury
Treating carpal tunnel syndrome
There are several treatments for carpal tunnel syndrome, depending on how severe your case is. You can also try a few things yourself to help make it better.
Talk to your GP about treating any other conditions that could be causing or making it worse. This could include:
- losing weight if your BMI is higher than 30
- managing diabetes and hypothyroidism
- treating fluid retention
- managing rheumatoid arthritis or connective tissue diseases.
Avoid or reduce hand and wrist activities that may make it worse
Repetitive or heavy activities using your wrist – such as pruning, house building, wringing out wet clothes, or holding heavy trays and dishes – can make carpal tunnel syndrome worse. Try to avoid or cut down on these tasks if possible.
Check your general posture. Slouching, and how you hold your wrists when doing things like working at a desk or reading can make it worse.
Wrist splints
You may notice that your symptoms are worse at night. This is due to your wrist being curled up while you're sleeping, putting pressure on your median nerve. Some people find that a wrist splint helps prevent or reduce their night pain and numbness. The wrist splint holds their wrist in a neutral position, preventing the median nerve from being compressed.
You can buy a suitable wrist splint from most physiotherapists, pharmacies and sports shops. It’s the same brace that snowboarders and skaters use to protect their wrists. You can also buy one online by searching for "wrist splint for carpal tunnel NZ". Prices range from $20 to $60.
When buying a wrist splint, make sure it has a metal or plastic piece at the front to stop your wrist curling up. Also make sure it fits comfortably.
For a more specific splint, you may want to see a private hand therapist who can make a splint for you. You'll need to pay for the consultation and materials.
Steroid injections
Steroid injections often ease the pain and symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome. For some people the relief is long-lasting, especially if you have not had carpal tunnel syndrome for long, or you have a mild case. If you have had it for longer than six months or have severe symptoms, steroid injections are likely to give only temporary relief. Local specialists say that most people should have no more than three steroid injections in their lifetime.
Your GP will either give the injection themselves, or refer you to another GP or specialist for this treatment.
Surgery
If you have still have symptoms after the treatments above you can be referred for carpal tunnel surgery.
If you have severe symptoms, your GP can refer you to either the plastic surgery or orthopaedic surgery department at Christchurch Hospital.
You can choose to pay to see a private plastic surgeon, private orthopaedic surgeon or private neurosurgeon.
If your work is found to have caused your carpal tunnel syndrome, ACC may cover the cost of surgery.
On the next page: Surgery for carpal tunnel syndrome
Written by HealthInfo clinical advisers.Endorsed by clinical directors, Plastic Surgery and Orthopaedic Surgery, Canterbury DHB. Last reviewed April 2021.
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SourcesImage courtesy of Praisaeng at FreeDigitalPhotos.net
Review key: HICTS-12821
