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	Related conditions   - Acoustic neuroma   - Alzheimer's disease   - Stroke   - Carpal tunnel syndrome   - Trigeminal neuralgia   - Epilepsy   - Whiplash   - Hydrocephalus   - Restless leg syndrome   - Multiple sclerosis   - Dementia   - Parkinson's disease   - Vertebral fracture   - Peripheral neuropathy

Treatment for carpal tunnel syndrome

Diagnosis is made by reviewing the patient's symptoms. Holding your wrists in a bent-down position for 1 minute can often reproduce symptoms of CTS. A nerve conduction test may also be performed to determine the amount of pressure on the median nerve.

Early diagnosis and treatment can prevent CTS from getting worse. There are several treatment options depending on the severity of the condition. Wearing a brace or splint at night to keep the wrist from bending is usually recommended. Applying ice packs and resting the area, if possible, may help. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications, which include over-the-counter drugs like aspirin and ibuprofen, as well as prescription medicines, may be prescribed.

In more severe cases, an injection of cortisone to reduce swelling in the carpal tunnel may be performed. Finally, for those cases that do not respond to more conservative treatment, surgery may be performed on an outpatient basis to cut the ligament that forms the roof of the carpal tunnel. This releases pressure on the median nerve to alleviate pain and tingling. Physical therapy exercises will probably be necessary. Symptom relief and return to normal activities may take weeks.

When performing a task, keep wrists straight and let your arms and shoulders share the stress. Pick up items with the entire hand or both hands. When working at a desk, shoulders should be at a neutral position, neither forward nor back, elbows should be at a 90° angle, forearms should be parallel to the floor and wrists should be straight.

Providing more work breaks, taking time to gently stretch or massage the hands and wrists, modifying layouts of work stations, rotating workers across jobs or altering the way that a job task is performed may also help. Maintaining a healthy weight, cutting down on caffeine and smoking (which may reduce blood flow) and getting regular cardiovascular exercise, such as walking or swimming, may also be helpful.