Treatment Options for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Carpal tunnel syndrome doesn’t usually start as a major problem. In fact, it can be quite subtle at first. You might notice a little tingling, some numbness, or maybe your hand just feels “off” when you wake up.

However, those symptoms can become harder to ignore as time passes. Eventually, carpal tunnel syndrome can start to impact your ability to work (especially if you type a lot at work) or even enjoy hobbies like crochet, painting, and cooking.

If you’re struggling with wrist pain and wondering what your treatment options are, you’re in luck. This month, our team of doctors at Garden State Pain & Orthopedics is sharing the top treatment options for carpal tunnel syndrome.

Your treatment starts with an accurate diagnosis

Before starting any treatment, it’s important to confirm that carpal tunnel syndrome is indeed causing your symptoms and not another condition affecting the neck or nerves. Carpal tunnel syndrome accounts for 90% of all neuropathy cases, but you still need to rule out other causes, like pinched nerves in your neck, which can also cause hand numbness.

Your Garden State Pain & Orthopedics provider may:

• Review your symptoms and medical history
• Perform a physical exam of your hand and wrist
• Recommend diagnostic testing, such as nerve studies or EMG

This step means that you get the treatment that’s right for you. If you’re not dealing with carpal tunnel syndrome, we can determine what’s causing your symptoms.

Explore your treatment options

Once we’ve confirmed that you have carpal tunnel syndrome, it’s time to explore your treatment options. 

Conservative treatments 

For many people, treatment starts with simple, practical changes that reduce pressure on their median nerve.

These may include:

• Resting your affected hand
• Changing how you use your hands throughout the day
• Wearing a wrist-hand brace, especially at night

These strategies help limit irritation and give the nerve a chance to recover.

Steroid injections

If discomfort continues, you may need more targeted treatments. Steroid injections can help reduce inflammation around your median nerve and provide symptom relief, especially when pain or numbness becomes more persistent.

Steroid injections can provide relief for up to six months. This reprieve in pain allows you to improve your posture, wear braces, and give your wrists a break. 

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy

Our team at Garden State Pain & Orthopedics also offers ultrasound-guided platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections.

PRP therapy uses a small sample of your own blood, which is processed to concentrate healing components called growth factors. This platelet-rich plasma is then injected directly into the affected area using ultrasound guidance for precision.

PRP works by:

• Supporting soft tissue repair in your wrist
• Promoting regeneration of damaged tissues
• Helping restore wrist function  

In other words, instead of just masking symptoms, PRP focuses on improving the underlying condition.

Surgery

If conservative treatments aren’t providing enough relief, or if you’re experiencing persistent numbness, weakness, or muscle loss, it may be time to consider surgery. 

Carpal tunnel release surgery relieves pressure on your median nerve, allowing it to function properly again. This can significantly reduce symptoms such as pain, tingling, and weakness, and help prevent permanent nerve damage when performed at the right time.

When to take the next step

If your symptoms are becoming more frequent, waking you up at night, affecting your grip strength, or affecting your ability to work, it’s time to get evaluated.

Carpal tunnel syndrome is highly treatable, but the sooner you address it, the more effective your options tend to be.

Call one of our offices in Clifton, Edison, West Orange, Hazlet, or Jersey City, New Jersey, or click here to get started.