Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (Content Program)
How We Can Help You for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Our doctors have the specialized training and experience needed to precisely diagnose and effectively treat carpal tunnel syndrome.
We deliver world-class care to help relieve symptoms that may include numbness, stiffness, weakness and tingling in the hand. Carpal tunnel syndrome also may cause pain in the hand or forearm. Even simple hand movements may be difficult. Our team develops a care plan personalized to your unique condition and needs.
Working closely as a team, our doctors emphasize noninvasive treatment whenever possible. Options may include icing, physical therapy, splinting, alternative therapy (yoga and acupuncture, for example), medications, or injection therapy. When necessary, we also perform all forms of hand surgery, from the common to the most complex.
In addition, Stanford Health Care patients with carpal tunnel syndrome may have opportunities to join research studies of new treatments not yet available anywhere else.
What We Offer You for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
- Specialized expertise from one of the world’s leading programs focused on diagnosing and treating carpal tunnel syndrome.
- Team-based treatment planning that brings together highly experienced specialists who create a comprehensive care plan personalized to your unique needs.
- Advanced treatment options, always emphasizing the least invasive approaches possible but also providing state-of-the-art surgery whenever needed.
- Full support that includes care planning and follow-up as well as strategies to prevent carpal tunnel syndrome from developing or getting worse.
- Clinical trial opportunities to join research studies of new innovations in the diagnosis and treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome.
- Ease of access with highly trained specialists conveniently located close to where you work or live.
Treatment for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
At Stanford, our highly skilled orthopaedic team diagnoses and treats all forms of carpal tunnel syndrome, from those with minor symptoms to the most complex cases. We offer the latest noninvasive and surgical treatments, from physical therapy to intricate surgery using minimally invasive approaches.
Carpal tunnel syndrome develops when the median nerve, one of the major nerves to the hand, is compressed where it passes through the wrist. The pressure causes numbness, tingling, and other problems in your hand. Early diagnosis and treatment are important in preventing long-term damage to the median nerve.
Your doctor will consider the severity of your symptoms, potential nerve damage, and any previous treatments. We work with you to come up with a treatment plan that is right for you. Our goals are to help relieve your symptoms and get you back to the activities you enjoy.
Stanford’s orthopaedic specialists diagnose and treat all forms of carpal tunnel syndrome to relieve symptoms and prevent nerve damage.
Nonsurgical Treatment
Surgery
If your symptoms are mild, your doctor may recommend that you first try changing your daily activities or routine. Some changes that may relieve your symptoms include:
- Identifying and then stopping the activities that cause numbness and pain
- Taking breaks to rest your wrist during typing or other activities
- Icing your wrist for 10 to 15 minutes one or two times an hour
- Wearing a wrist splint to take pressure off the median nerve
If your symptoms continue or get worse, your doctor may recommend:
- Physical therapy: Our physical therapists teach you targeted exercises and stretches that may increase the range of motion in your hand and wrist. Physical therapy may also decrease pain and other symptoms.
- Occupational therapy: Our occupational therapists guide you in stretches and exercises that help you perform everyday activities, such as opening a can, easier.
- Medication: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or corticosteroids may help reduce pain and inflammation and ease your symptoms.
- Alternative therapies: Yoga, acupuncture, and dietary supplements (such as vitamin B6) have proven helpful for some people with carpal tunnel syndrome.
Physical therapy: Our physical therapists teach you targeted exercises and stretches that may increase the range of motion in your hand and wrist. Physical therapy may also decrease pain and other symptoms.
Occupational therapy: Our occupational therapists guide you in stretches and exercises that help you perform everyday activities, such as opening a can, easier.
Medication: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or corticosteroids may help reduce pain and inflammation and ease your symptoms.
Alternative therapies: Yoga, acupuncture, and dietary supplements (such as vitamin B6) have proven helpful for some people with carpal tunnel syndrome.
If other treatments are not helping, surgery may benefit you. Your doctor may also recommend surgery if you have (or are at risk for) nerve damage.
Our doctors have extensive experience in treating advanced forms of carpal tunnel syndrome with a specialized surgery called carpal tunnel release surgery. In this procedure, a surgeon makes an incision in the wrist area and cuts the ligament pressing on the median nerve. This technique decreases the pressure that causes your symptoms.
Our orthopaedic surgeons perform this surgery in an outpatient location under local or general anesthesia. We have experience in traditional open and minimally invasive techniques, which require only tiny incisions.
A minimally invasive approach may mean you experience a shorter recovery and can get back to your normal routine sooner after surgery. You may need to wear a brace for a short time after surgery to keep your wrist and hand stable as you heal.
If your symptoms are mild, your doctor may recommend that you first try changing your daily activities or routine. Some changes that may relieve your symptoms include:
- Identifying and then stopping the activities that cause numbness and pain
- Taking breaks to rest your wrist during typing or other activities
- Icing your wrist for 10 to 15 minutes one or two times an hour
- Wearing a wrist splint to take pressure off the median nerve
If your symptoms continue or get worse, your doctor may recommend:
- Physical therapy: Our physical therapists teach you targeted exercises and stretches that may increase the range of motion in your hand and wrist. Physical therapy may also decrease pain and other symptoms.
- Occupational therapy: Our occupational therapists guide you in stretches and exercises that help you perform everyday activities, such as opening a can, easier.
- Medication: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or corticosteroids may help reduce pain and inflammation and ease your symptoms.
- Alternative therapies: Yoga, acupuncture, and dietary supplements (such as vitamin B6) have proven helpful for some people with carpal tunnel syndrome.
Physical therapy: Our physical therapists teach you targeted exercises and stretches that may increase the range of motion in your hand and wrist. Physical therapy may also decrease pain and other symptoms.
Occupational therapy: Our occupational therapists guide you in stretches and exercises that help you perform everyday activities, such as opening a can, easier.
Medication: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or corticosteroids may help reduce pain and inflammation and ease your symptoms.
Alternative therapies: Yoga, acupuncture, and dietary supplements (such as vitamin B6) have proven helpful for some people with carpal tunnel syndrome.
close Nonsurgical Treatment
If other treatments are not helping, surgery may benefit you. Your doctor may also recommend surgery if you have (or are at risk for) nerve damage.
Our doctors have extensive experience in treating advanced forms of carpal tunnel syndrome with a specialized surgery called carpal tunnel release surgery. In this procedure, a surgeon makes an incision in the wrist area and cuts the ligament pressing on the median nerve. This technique decreases the pressure that causes your symptoms.
Our orthopaedic surgeons perform this surgery in an outpatient location under local or general anesthesia. We have experience in traditional open and minimally invasive techniques, which require only tiny incisions.
A minimally invasive approach may mean you experience a shorter recovery and can get back to your normal routine sooner after surgery. You may need to wear a brace for a short time after surgery to keep your wrist and hand stable as you heal.
close Surgery
INTERESTED IN AN ONLINE SECOND OPINION?
The Stanford Medicine Online Second Opinion program offers you easy access to our world-class doctors. It’s all done remotely and you don’t have to visit our hospital or one of our clinics for this service. You don’t even need to leave home!
Visit our online second opinion page to learn more.
Clinical Trials
Clinical trials are research studies that evaluate a new medical approach, device, drug, or other treatment. As a Stanford Health Care patient, you may be eligible to participate in open clinical trials.
Open trials refer to studies that are currently recruiting participants or that may recruit participants in the near future. Closed trials are not currently enrolling, but similar studies may open in the future.
What Is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?
Our Clinics
At Stanford, our orthopaedic team works together to diagnose and treat a broad range of conditions affecting the hand, wrist, elbow, and shoulder, including carpal tunnel syndrome.
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450 Broadway StreetRedwood City, CA 94063
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