MU Health Care treats carpal tunnel syndrome with expert surgical and nonsurgical care to relieve symptoms and protect your hand strength and function.

Carpal tunnel syndrome happens when the median nerve – running from your forearm to your hand – gets compressed at the wrist. This pressure can cause numbness, tingling or weakness in your hand and arm, making daily tasks more difficult.

Carpal tunnel syndrome is common, especially for people who use their hands for repetitive movements like typing, lifting or gripping. It can affect anyone but is most often seen in adults. 

If it isn’t treated early, carpal tunnel syndrome can lead to long-term nerve damage. At MU Health Care, we offer nonsurgical and surgical treatment options to ease symptoms, improve function and help prevent future issues.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Symptoms

Carpal tunnel syndrome happens when the median nerve in your wrist becomes compressed.

Symptoms may include: 

• Discomfort with repetition: Using a phone, computer mouse or tools can trigger symptoms.
• Pain or discomfort: Pain may extend from your wrist into your palm or up your arm.
• Swollen sensation: Fingers may feel swollen even if they look normal.
• Tingling or numbness: Often affects the thumb, index, middle or ring finger.
• Weak grip: You may drop objects or have trouble holding items.

When to Seek Care for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

If carpal tunnel syndrome is starting to interfere with your daily life, it’s time to talk with your care team. You should also check in if you’ve noticed weakness in your hand or if symptoms are waking you up at night. 

Early diagnosis and treatment can help relieve symptoms, prevent long-term nerve damage and protect your hand function.

Causes of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Several factors can increase your risk for carpal tunnel syndrome:

• Gender: Women may be at higher risk due to a smaller wrist structure.
• Health conditions: Diabetes, thyroid issues and rheumatoid arthritis can contribute to the development of carpal tunnel syndrome.
• Obesity: Extra weight can increase pressure in the carpal tunnel.
• Pregnancy: Hormone changes can cause swelling in the wrist, leading to pinched nerves.
• Repetitive hand use: Frequent hand or wrist movements can irritate the nerve.
• Wrist anatomy: Some people are born with a smaller carpal tunnel.

How We Diagnose Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

If you think you might have carpal tunnel syndrome, book a consultation with your doctor. 

At MU Health Care, we begin with a discussion of your symptoms, a medical history review and a physical exam. 

We may perform simple in-office tests such as: 

• Phalen’s Test: You’ll bend your wrist to see if it brings on tingling or discomfort.
• Tinel’s Sign: Gently tapping over the median nerve helps check for a tingling sensation. 

We may also use the following tests to confirm the diagnosis: 

• Electromyography (EMG): Measures muscle and nerve function.
• Nerve conduction study (NCS): Assesses how fast signals move through the median nerve.
• X-rays: Rules out arthritis or other wrist conditions.

How We Treat Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Your treatment plan starts with understanding your symptoms and how they affect your daily life. Our specialists offer a range of nonsurgical and surgical options to help relieve discomfort, improve hand function and protect your nerve health. 

Nonsurgical Treatment Options for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Carpal tunnel syndrome treatment often begins with nonsurgical treatments, such as: 

• Medications: Anti-inflammatories may reduce pain and swelling.
• Physical therapy: Stretching and strengthening exercises can improve mobility.
• Steroid injections: Corticosteroids can ease inflammation and reduce symptoms.
• Wrist splints: Especially at night, splints keep your wrist in a neutral position.

Surgical Treatment Options for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

If nonsurgical treatments haven’t provided relief, surgery may be the next step. 

Carpal tunnel release procedures relieve pressure on the median nerve by cutting the transverse carpal ligament. 

We offer two approaches:

• Endoscopic carpal tunnel release: This minimally invasive surgery uses a small camera to guide the surgery, often resulting in a smaller incision and faster recovery.
• Open carpal tunnel release: This traditional approach uses a small incision in the palm to cut the ligament and relieve pressure on the nerve.

Why Choose MU Health Care for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Care

• Advanced, research-driven care: As an academic health center, we use the latest research to guide diagnosis and treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome.
• Coordinated care from diagnosis to rehab: Our surgeons, therapists and care teams work closely to support your treatment plan.
• Endoscopic surgical options: We offer minimally invasive surgery to help with faster healing.
• Expert hand and nerve care: Our surgeons have specialized training in treating carpal tunnel syndrome.
• Hand Trauma Center of Excellence: We’re the only hospital in Mid-Missouri — and one of just 50 in the country — recognized with this distinction. This distinction means we are considered leaders in the field and have many hand surgeons, specialized therapists, and advanced equipment for complex cases.