THEelectromyogram (EMG) is sometimes used to confirm the diagnosis when symptoms are not typical or before surgery. This is an exam done by a neurologist that measures the speed of nerve conduction in the wrist. This examination allows to know if it is indeed the median nerve which is affected, and to what degree.

First, we have to treat toute disease ou injury which could be the cause of the syndrome. Wrist and hand pain usually goes away as soon as you treat, for example, the hypothyroidism that caused them.

Repos

In the absence of an injury or other associated disease, treatment first consists of rest the wrist affected by interrupting the repetitive activity that is the cause or by changing the pace and intensity.

The doctor sometimes suggests wearing a splint During the night. The splint prevents bending the wrist and thus compressing the median nerve while sleeping.

Pain relief

Apply ice where the pain is felt, for 10 to 12 minutes, a few times during the day. The application of heat can also help relieve pain immediately. It is also advisable to carry out a contrast hydrotherapy once a day: immerse the hand and wrist for 3 minutes in a bowl of hot water, then for 30 seconds in cold water. Repeat the exercise 3 times in a row.

If necessary, the pharmaceuticals analgesics (acetaminophen) or anti-inflammatory drugs (aspirin, Advil®, Motrin®, etc.) can sometimes relieve pain, but are generally not very effective for this type of condition. Note that anti-inflammatory drugs do not speed healing.

In more severe cases, the doctor may suggest a cortisone injection at the entrance to the carpal tunnel. This treatment provides relief for 3 months, on average.

readjustment

If the above measures are not sufficient to make the symptoms disappear, a program of physiotherapy could be beneficial, although its effectiveness has not been clearly demonstrated. The aim of treatment is to decrease the inflammatory reaction in the tissues around the median nerve and to strengthen the muscles of the wrist and hand joints.

surgery

If the pain persists after several months of treatment and the work makes you at risk of recidivism, we can consider a surgical intervention followed by physiotherapy sessions. The surgery consists of entailler le ligament which puts pressure on the median nerve (see diagram).

The surgery can be performed through an incision of about 5 cm (2 in) at the wrist or by endoscopy, with 2 small incisions (one is used to introduce a tube with a tiny camera and the other, the surgical instrument) .

Un lasting relief pain, numbness and tingling occurs in the vast majority of people so treated. However, the intervention involves certain risks, such as damaging a nerve temporarily (1 in 100) or permanently (1 in 1).