Have Moderate To Severe Carpel Tunnel. Tingling And Numbness In Middle Finger. Any Curable Treatment?

Posted on Thu, 26 Jul 2012

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Thu, 26 Jul 2012 Answered on

Tue, 14 Aug 2012 Last reviewed on

Question : Sure! I have moderate to severe carpel tunnel (nerve conduction tests done recently) Had it on and off for about 8 years - it flairs up when I do a lot of physical work like painting the walls etc. but the middle fingers on both hands are tingly or numb all the time. I have been recommended for surgery but I don/t want to have such invasive treatment if it can be avoided. Is there another way?

Answered by Dr. Pragnesh Vachharajani (1 hour later)

Hi,

Thanks for posting your query.

Normally when severity is more and you are having problem in your day to day routine surgery is advised.

Please discuss this with your treatment provider and if your are comfortable you can try following:

>Splint at night for several weeks. If this does not help, you may need to try wearing the splint during the day.
>Avoid sleeping on your wrists. Hot and cold compresses may also be recommended.

Medicines

Medications used in the treatment of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
>You can also apply then locally
> In some cases corticosteroid injections area are also tried with variable success.
SURGERY

As written earlier when above mentioned conservative measures does not help then surgery is advised.

Carpal tunnel release is a surgical procedure that cuts into the ligament that is pressing on the nerve. Success rate of surgery is good.

I hope this helps and helps in you taking an informed decision.

Wishing you good health.

Regards,

Dr.Pragnesh

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar