If you have received a positive carpal tunnel diagnosis, most doctors will push for cortisone injections and/or surgery, procedures that have poor success rates and ones that should only be performed as a last resort, after all other conservative treatment methods have been utilized.
The following information provides details about what each current procedure entails as well as statistics that reveal why conservative therapy should be implemented over the following invasive treatment methods.
CORTISONE INJECTIONS FOR CARPAL TUNNEL SYNDROME:
Cortisone is medication that treats inflammation only. Often the carpal tunnel pain will subside because the inflammation of the median nerve is reduced from the use of the cortisone, but this is only a temporary effect.
The one main problem with cortisone is that for 21 days following the injection, the tendons have the consistency of rubber and can be seriously overstretched and damaged. This is a common side effect that most doctors fail to tell their patients. If the patient continues overusing and/or stressing their hands and wrists, the tendons can overstretch and cause the structural integrity of the joint to diminish greatly, causing the joint to become loose and sloppy, resulting in an even greater possibility of further injury and damage.
Cortisone can be used wisely as a part of a carpal tunnel treatment program along with the implementation of proper stretches add exercises, the most important tool that can be used to recover from carpal tunnel. If cortisone is utilized, it is good for the patient to take this time, when the carpal tunnel is not inflamed, to be on a conservative therapy program to correct the existing muscle imbalance in the wrist joint and eliminate the carpal tunnel symptoms for good. The problem is that most doctors give the cortisone shot and the patient goes home and either does nothing, or does too much, causing greater trauma to the median nerve within the carpal tunnel and exacerbating the symptoms.
Steroid (Cortisone) Injection Statistic:
*Failure rate (Including "partial success" as failure) is 72.6% after 1-year follow up. Source: Irwin, et al. J Hand Surgery.
SURGERY FOR CARPAL TUNNEL SYNDROME:
Carpal tunnel surgery consists of releasing (severing) the transverse carpal ligament that forms the roof of the carpal tunnel. Surgery is utilized to open and widen the carpal tunnel in order to allow more room for the median nerve, artery and nine flexor tendons to move around. There are several surgical procedures that are utilized to achieve this:
Open Release Surgery: A local anesthetic is injected into the wrist and/or hand and a 2-3-inch incision is made in the palm and cuts the carpal ligament free from the underlying median nerve. This operation takes about 20-25 minutes.
mini?Open Release Surgery: The mini-open release technique involves an incision that is about 1.5 inches long and can be performed in the doctor's office with only a local anesthetic. The operation takes only about 12 minutes.
Endoscopic Release Surgery: The Endoscopic technique is less invasive and uses involves one or two .5?inch long incisions in the wrist and or palm, and one or two endoscope (pencil-thin) tubes are inserted. A tiny camera and a knife are inserted through these lighted tubes. While observing the carpal ligament on a television monitor, the surgeon cuts the ligament to free the compressed median nerve.
Carpal Tunnel Surgery Statistics:
*only 23% of all Carpal Tunnel Syndrome patients were able to return to their previous professions following surgery.?Source: NIOSH
*“Carpal tunnel surgery has about a 57% failure rate following patients from 1-day to 6-years. At least one of the following symptoms re-occurred during this time: Pain, Numbness, Tingling sensations.?Source: Nancollas, et al, 1995. J. Hand Surgery.
CONSERVATIVE TREATMENT FOR CARPAL TUNNEL SYNDROME:
Conservative therapy is really the only key to preventing carpal tunnel syndrome as well as for the successful recovery and long-term relief of existing carpal tunnel symptoms, even for post-surgery patients that have experienced little relief. Always try conservative therapy first and eliminate future injections and surgical procedures - Try the "Conservative Alternative".
Jeff P. Anliker, LMT, is a Therapist and Inventor of Therapeutic Exercise Products that are utilized by Corporations, Consumers and Medical Facilities around the world. Balance Systems, Inc.
Top 12 Health Topics: |
 |
Featured Topics |
Natural Remedy for Acid RefluxIt has been seen that many times high levels of acidity lead to heart burn that can lead to chest congestion. The persistent problems of acid reflux can lead to difficulty in digestion. If you find pe...Treatment Options Available for Acid RefluxDo you suffer from acid reflux or frequent heartburn? The burning sensation at the back of your throat or down by the breat bone can be quite painful. Most physicians will first recommend lifestyle mo...Arthritis Is A ThiefArthritis is basically inflammation of the joints in the body. This health condition describes a compilation of over 100 different types of arthritis conditions. It is not simply just one disease. Art...Missing A Few Pieces - Migraine HeadachesI suffer from migraine headaches. Plagued for many years, I do not know why I get them and the doctors have a wide variety of opinions. Today's migraine was a doozy. If you have every had a migraine y...Coping With Depression And Your AnxietiesSome people have a difficult time in managing their depression. Sometimes, their depression and fears can get best of them. As a result, here is a short list of techniques that a person can use to hel...What You Don't Know About Acid Reflux DiseaseIt's sometimes surprising how much people don't know about their acid reflux disease. Many are ill-informed of what it is, where it occurs in the body, why it happens, and how it should be treated. An...Research and a Good Mesothelioma LawyerWhen someone believes that they may have cancer, the first thing they should do is go see their doctor. If this problem does become a reality, the next thing they should do is become educated. Informa...Believe It - Snoring Can Be Life ThreateningSnoring is seen by a majority of us as just bothersome, an irritation, instead of something that can be life threatening. Even though snoring differs in intensity, when it comes to trying to get throu...How To Defeat Depression - Learn Ways You Can Defeat Depression From HomeIt's easier than most people think to defeat depression. Every single day of the year more and more people put themselves further and further into deep depression that will haunt them for the rest of ...Acid Reflux - What is Silent RefluxIt is a known fact that people sometimes do not realize that acid reflux is really a problem for them. This condition is known as silent acid reflux. The condition is no different from common by exist... |
 |
HolPlus Channels: |
|
