Sufferers of carpal tunnel syndrome are usually under the impression that surgery is the only means of finding any meaningful relief. For some of those people who spend the better part of each day stuck in front of a computer, and who deal with the numbness and pain associated with the syndrome surgery is nonetheless an unpleasant option. However, carpal tunnel syndrome does not only affect office workers, it can affect a wide array of people, from construction workers to painters.
If the person uses their hands and wrists in the same particular way on a daily basis for most of each day they might suffer from this syndrome. If, like so many people, they also do not maintain the proper posture and/or technique they will aggravate the situation further. The individual, who spends his or her days hunched over their computer keyboard and never takes a break to even give their hands and wrists a good stretch, is courting with trouble. Unfortunately for them that trouble could turn into carpal tunnel syndrome.
To understand carpal tunnel syndrome, you need to understand the physiology of the syndrome. Carpal tunnel syndrome, quite simply, is the tightening of the wrist that compresses the median nerve and causes all of the typical symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome. It can be a debilitating and sometimes excruciating condition that requires some sort of intervention to repair.
While there are many types of intervention, surgery is one option for those who wish to be rid of the pain of carpal tunnel syndrome. Carpal tunnel surgery is usually done under “twilight anesthesia”, a somewhat reduces form of anesthesia. The surgery itself involves cutting the transverse carpal ligament to relieve ongoing damage to the nerves. The transverse carpal ligament is a ligament at the wrist that wraps around all the other ligaments running vertically along the arm. The idea is that cutting this ever tightening ligament will immediately reduce pressure on the other ligaments. The transverse carpal ligament will then “scar” together while leaving more room for the other ligaments.
It is important to remember that there is no such thing as risk free surgery, and there are many instances where a person who has the operation is left with much weaker wrists than before the op. There is also a good chance that the surrounding nerves and tendons could be damaged during the procedure. After the operation, which can cost as much as ten thousand dollars, the patient must then undergo weeks of recovery. When one considers all of this it makes sense that surgery be the last resort.
Better solutions recommended by most therapists are to create an environment that is ergonomically sound. Also, use proper posture and technique so that the strain of your job is not limited to your wrists. Stretching of the wrists and taking breaks every now and again is also a great way to relieve that pressure. You can even have hand and wrist massages done that will greatly loosed the soft tissue in the hands and should prevent carpal tunnel syndrome. With all of these options available, it seems amazing that any one would choose surgery first.
Before considering surgery, be informed about carpal tunnel syndrome and make the right choice when it comes to your health. You want to focus on healthy habits first!
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Tags: Posture, Transverse Carpal Ligament, Painters, Twilight
