In a world where we're constantly typing, texting, and scrolling, it's no surprise that many of us complain about hand and wrist pain. One condition that often gets blamed for this pain is carpal tunnel syndrome. But, according to Dr. Brooks Ficke, a board-certified hand and wrist surgeon at Resurgens, carpal tunnel has become a catch-all term for any wrist or hand pain or discomfort. Many patients who think they have this condition often have a different condition altogether. Let's break down what carpal tunnel is and what it is not.

The Hallmark Symptoms of Carpal Tunnel: Numbness and Tingling

Dr. Ficke explains carpal tunnel syndrome is a condition where "there's too much stuff in too little space in the wrist." The carpal tunnel is a narrow passageway on the palm side of your wrist. The median nerve runs through that narrow space as it passes into the hand to provide sensation to your thumb, index finger, middle finger, and half of your ring finger. When this nerve is pinched due to overcrowding from tendons and surrounding tissues, it leads to numbness and tingling, which are hallmark symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome.

He underscores the importance of these symptoms in diagnosing carpal tunnel, stating, "One of the first things that I ask people when they come in complaining of carpal tunnel is, 'is there numbness and tingling?' Because if there's not then it's very rare for it to be carpal tunnel." He further explains that numbness and tingling, particularly affecting the first three fingers, often occur at night but can also manifest during daytime activities involving repetitive wrist movements.

Risk Factors: Don't Blame Carpal Tunnel on Your Desk Job

Many people think that jobs involving a lot of typing are the main cause of carpal tunnel syndrome. However, Dr. Ficke says that while certain repetitive movements can make things worse, the primary risks factors are actually being a woman in your 50s or having certain genetics. "There's a lot of debate as to whether occupational things cause carpal tunnel. Some recent studies suggest that typing may reveal carpal tunnel, but not necessarily cause it," he explains. Roles with repetitive wrist movements under strain, such as working at a chicken factory, may be more likely to cause carpal tunnel.

Conservative Treatment: You May Just Need a Brace

Dr. Ficke advocates for conservative treatments such as wearing a wrist brace to alleviate carpal tunnel symptoms. He explains, "Oftentimes, we can get carpal tunnel under control just by wearing a wrist brace at night. We like to sleep curled up and comfy with our wrist bent and tucked in. But that position makes the carpal tunnel smaller and pinches the nerve. So, if we can wear a wrist brace, that keeps the wrist straight and allows the nerve to be in its most relaxed position with most space for it to breathe for several hours overnight. Many times, that can really help with symptoms."

Dr. Ficke stresses that getting help early, before the pain or numbness is constant, can lead to better results. Surgery is an option for serious cases, but trying conservative treatments first is always a good idea.

Carpal Tunnel Surgery: Not as Scary as You Think

If you do need surgery, it's not as scary as it sounds. Today's carpal tunnel surgery uses smaller incisions, has faster recovery times, and can be performed using just local anesthesia. "Patients frequently come in thinking that carpal tunnel surgery is a huge ordeal and they put off getting evaluated for carpal tunnel because they think they wouldn't be able to tolerate it," explains Dr. Ficke.

In reality, it's much simpler.

"With local anesthesia, carpal tunnel is an outpatient surgery that takes about 20 minutes or so. Then we wrap their wrist up in an ace bandage and let people go home. I generally let people take the bandage off after three days and cover the stitches with a band aid. After surgery. I still don't want people doing heavy lifting and stressing that incision for about three weeks. But most people can belong with their daily lives," he reassures.

Seek Expert Advice

Dr. Ficke reminds us that hand surgeons do a lot more than just surgery. They're experts in figuring out what's wrong and finding the best way to treat it. Rather than jumping to conclusions based on vague symptoms and Google searches, get checked out by a specialist so that you can make sure you get the right treatment and feel better sooner.

If you have hand or wrist pain and would like to be evaluated, schedule an appointment online or call the office most convenient to you.