Overview
The carpal tunnel is a narrow passageway on the palm side of your wrist surrounded by bones and ligaments. The median nerve passes through this tunnel to supply sensation to your thumb, index, middle, and half of your ring finger.
Common Causes of Hand, Wrist & Carpal Tunnel
- Repetitive hand and wrist positioning in desk work, manufacturing, or trades
- Anatomical narrowing of the carpal tunnel or wrist trauma
- Underlying health conditions including arthritis, diabetes, or thyroid changes
- Tendon swelling within the flexor sheath causing median nerve compression
- De Quervain's tenosynovitis affecting tendons on the thumb side of the wrist
Symptoms That May Need Evaluation
You should consider an orthopedic evaluation if you experience any of the following symptoms:
- Numbness, tingling, or burning sensation primarily in thumb, index, and middle fingers
- Symptoms waking you from sleep, often relieved temporarily by shaking the hands
- Weakness in the hand, dropping objects, or difficulty buttoning shirts
- Aching pain radiating from the wrist up the forearm toward the shoulder
- Loss of fine sensation in the fingertips over time
How Problems Are Diagnosed
Dr. Dalal conducts physical diagnostic tests including Phalen's wrist flexion test and Tinel's nerve tap sign. Diagnostic electromyography (EMG) and nerve conduction studies (NCS) are utilized to measure electrical signals through the median nerve and establish severity.
Nonsurgical Treatment Options
Dr. Dalal emphasizes conservative care whenever possible before considering surgical intervention:
- Nocturnal wrist splinting to maintain a neutral position and relieve nerve pressure
- Ergonomic computer and hand tool adjustments
- Corticosteroid injections into the carpal tunnel to decrease soft-tissue swelling
- Nerve gliding exercises and activity pacing
When Surgery May Be Considered
When symptoms persist despite splinting, or when electrodiagnostic testing confirms moderate-to-severe nerve compression, carpal tunnel release surgery is performed to divide the transverse carpal ligament, permanently creating more room for the median nerve.
Related Treatments & Procedures
Learn more about treatments related to hand, wrist & carpal tunnel:
Why Choose Tri-State Orthopaedics
Accurate nerve testing, conservative first-line treatments, and gentle surgical releases performed in a personal outpatient setting.
Our Office Locations
Dr. Dalal sees patients for hand, wrist & carpal tunnel evaluation at both of our Mid-South offices: