Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Painful wrist
The median nerve and its compression or pathology may give you symptoms of the carpal tunnel in the wrist.
If you are experiencing symptoms such as pins and needles in your thumb, index finger, and middle finger, pain gets worse on moving the wrist, pain refers to the forearm and elbow then there is a good chance you have this condition.
Carpal tunnel syndrome occurs as a result of the compression of the median nerve and this can be detected on ultrasound.The nerve will lose its rounded shape and will often appear squashed and enlarged. It will also lose what we call echogenicity ( will not be as bright as it should) It is also good to compare the size of the nerve at the level of pronator quadratus and in the carpal tunnel.
Things you can do to help yourself:
- Use a splint at night
- Modify your daily activities; the pain is unlikely to go away if you continue using your hand and wrist the same way as before the injury
- You can use your wrist if you find it helpful
- Gentle stretches and exercises may be helpful
If the above is not helpful you may discuss an option of steroid injection (+local anaesthetic).