Carpal Tunnel Specialist
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Nicholas Jew, MD
Orthopedic Hand Surgeon and Upper Extremity Specialist & Hand & Wrist Surgeon located in Jackson, MS, Flowood, MS, & Madison MS
If you experience numbness, tingling, weakness, or pain in your fingers, hand, or forearm, you may have carpal tunnel syndrome. Nicholas Jew, MD, an orthopedic hand surgeon and upper extremity specialist at Mississippi Sports Medicine and Orthopedic Center in Madison, Flowood, and Jackson, Mississippi, offers a wide array of carpal tunnel treatments to repair tissue and alleviate pain. Schedule an appointment by calling the nearest office or booking online today.
Carpal Tunnel Q & A
What is carpal tunnel syndrome?
Carpal tunnel syndrome is a common condition in which swelling compresses and squeezes the median nerve in your hand. It can lead to numbness, discomfort, and long-lasting pain, but treatment with Dr. Jew can offer you relief. Early diagnosis and treatment give you the best outcome.
What are the symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome?
Some of the signs and symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome include:
- Pain in your hand, fingers, or arm
- Numbness and tingling
- Weakness
- Burning
- Radiating pain
- Clumsiness in your hand
- Dropping things
Early diagnosis and treatment are important, as carpal tunnel syndrome can get worse over time. See Dr. Jew at the first sign of an injury.
What are the risk factors for carpal tunnel syndrome?
The cause of carpal tunnel syndrome isn’t clear and might result from a combination of factors. Examples include:
- Genetics
- Repetitive hand motions
- Extreme extension or flexion
- Hormone changes during pregnancy
- Arthritis, diabetes, or thyroid problems
- Fractures or dislocation
- Being female, including menopause
- Taking certain medications
- Obesity
- Fluid retention
- Kidney failure
Continual computer use can increase your risk of developing carpal tunnel syndrome. To reduce your risk of experiencing it, take frequent breaks from repetitive finger and hand motions and use good posture.
How is carpal tunnel syndrome diagnosed?
To find out if you have carpal tunnel syndrome, Dr. Jew discusses your symptoms and reviews your medical history. He completes a physical exam and might use X-rays, ultrasound, MRIs, other imaging tests, or nerve tests to make a final diagnosis and develop a treatment plan.
How is carpal tunnel syndrome treated?
Dr. Jew offers conservative and surgical treatments for carpal tunnel syndrome relief. He might recommend:
At-home treatments
Resting your hand and wrist and icing the affected area can offer pain relief in some cases. Wearing a splint or brace might also help.
Medications
Taking anti-inflammatory medications or receiving steroid injections can reduce swelling and alleviate carpal tunnel discomfort.
Physical therapy
Physical and occupational hand exercises can accelerate healing when you have carpal tunnel syndrome.
Surgery
Dr. Jew specializes in minimally invasive endoscopic surgery to relieve median nerve pressure by restructuring ligaments in your hand and wrist. During minimally invasive surgery, pain and downtime are minimal.
He also offers wide-awake local anesthesia, no tourniquet (WALANT) carpal tunnel release surgery, which only requires local anesthesia. This eliminates the need for patients to be put to sleep, mitigating the risks associated with being sedated. It's also more cost-effective for the patient.
Don’t live with carpal tunnel syndrome pain or let the condition worsen when numerous treatments are available. Schedule an appointment at Mississippi Sports Medicine and Orthopedic Center by phone, or book online today.