You've heard the condition of carpal tunnel syndrome before, but you never thought you'd have it. Years of bad posture, stress, and too much time at the computer keyboard have left you with pain in your wrists, weakness and numbness. You have read up on the subject and are torn about whether or not you should have surgery for your condition. Perhaps even your doctor has recommended it!
Before you decide on having the surgery, think about the other possible options you have to avoid it, such as alternative treatments. They can help to reduce some of your pain and allow you to forgo the surgery for some time. There are times when surgery is the best way to go, but because it is expensive and offers only short term benefits, consider other options first.
Repetitive action is the main culprit here. That may come from throwing a ball too often or typing too much or any job that requires you to use your wrists in the same way over and over again. Because you are repeating the motion so many times, this causes the tightening of the transverse carpal ligament. This ligament has the job of holding all the ligaments in this region of your wrist in place.
Sometimes, the hands and wrists feel weak and unable to be used properly. The pain can run through the hand and up the arm. Even your fingers may feel it. The more times you repeat the actions, the more pressure is placed on the ligaments and nerves. Over time, it becomes harder to do the same motions.
While the surgical procedure designed to relieve carpal tunnel syndrome is not difficult it is invasive. The relief comes from the severing of the transverse carpal ligament. While this is not a problem, initially, over time it leads to weakness in the arms and later the hands. It does relieve the pain of carpal tunnel syndrome rather quickly though.
Aside from problems later on down the road, having this surgery requires at least 6 weeks of therapy and healing for the transverse carpal ligament. It isn't a fun recovery, and the outcome is completely unknown. For these reasons alone you might consider some alternative techniques to relieving your carpal tunnel pain.
There are several things you can do, including stretching the ligament regularly, right before and just after you have performed the motion causing pain. Doing this helps to reduce the amount of pressure that is placed on the ligament itself. You can also improve posture and avoid the activities that cause so much of the pain, or at least take a break from them every known and then. Stretching is definitely a better option than paying ten thousand dollars for surgery.
For some, these treatment options will not be enough and surgery for carpal tunnel syndrome will be inevitable. With the aid of second opinions and a fully understanding of what you will encounter, most people can make the right decision for them. Utilize a physical therapist beforehand, to avoid surgery if at all possible.
Before you decide on having the surgery, think about the other possible options you have to avoid it, such as alternative treatments. They can help to reduce some of your pain and allow you to forgo the surgery for some time. There are times when surgery is the best way to go, but because it is expensive and offers only short term benefits, consider other options first.
Repetitive action is the main culprit here. That may come from throwing a ball too often or typing too much or any job that requires you to use your wrists in the same way over and over again. Because you are repeating the motion so many times, this causes the tightening of the transverse carpal ligament. This ligament has the job of holding all the ligaments in this region of your wrist in place.
Sometimes, the hands and wrists feel weak and unable to be used properly. The pain can run through the hand and up the arm. Even your fingers may feel it. The more times you repeat the actions, the more pressure is placed on the ligaments and nerves. Over time, it becomes harder to do the same motions.
While the surgical procedure designed to relieve carpal tunnel syndrome is not difficult it is invasive. The relief comes from the severing of the transverse carpal ligament. While this is not a problem, initially, over time it leads to weakness in the arms and later the hands. It does relieve the pain of carpal tunnel syndrome rather quickly though.
Aside from problems later on down the road, having this surgery requires at least 6 weeks of therapy and healing for the transverse carpal ligament. It isn't a fun recovery, and the outcome is completely unknown. For these reasons alone you might consider some alternative techniques to relieving your carpal tunnel pain.
There are several things you can do, including stretching the ligament regularly, right before and just after you have performed the motion causing pain. Doing this helps to reduce the amount of pressure that is placed on the ligament itself. You can also improve posture and avoid the activities that cause so much of the pain, or at least take a break from them every known and then. Stretching is definitely a better option than paying ten thousand dollars for surgery.
For some, these treatment options will not be enough and surgery for carpal tunnel syndrome will be inevitable. With the aid of second opinions and a fully understanding of what you will encounter, most people can make the right decision for them. Utilize a physical therapist beforehand, to avoid surgery if at all possible.
About the Author:
How much do you really know about carpal tunnel syndrome? Many people do not actually understand the nature of repetitive stress injuries. There are many easy types of treatment that can be explored. Be sure you understand all there is to know - click on this link to find out what you don't know about carpal tunnel surgery.
