When you experience pain in your hand or fingers, you might wonder when you should seek help from a hand specialist. Your hands are necessary for nearly every activity in your everyday life. Pain and discomfort can make getting dressed, eating, driving, and working difficult.
Your symptoms determine when to see a carpal tunnel syndrome specialist in Richmond. However, the earlier you are properly diagnosed and treated, the more likely you are to recover fully. Without proper treatment, you may experience long-term pain and loss of strength.
Carpal tunnel syndrome is a common medical condition that affects men and women who have certain risk factors at higher rates. Those risk factors can include daily repetitive actions with their hands, such as chopping food or using a keyboard, as well as certain medical conditions that increase the risk of high levels of inflammation.
Your hand and wrist are highly complex structures organized to perform large and small motor tasks. Inside your wrist, there is a narrow passageway where the median nerve travels. The median nerve provides sensation and some movement to the thumb, forefinger, third finger, and half the ring finger.
You may need to see a specialist in Richmond when you have symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome, like numbness, tingling in the fingers, and weakness in the muscles that make it difficult to grasp objects. Pain in the hand and wrists can extend up the arm, and you may experience a sensation of swelling in the fingers, even when no swelling is visible.
Research has demonstrated that underlying medical conditions, not just repetitive hand movements, can lead to increased inflammation and swelling in the wrist that compresses the median nerve. These medical conditions can include diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, thyroid dysfunction, pregnancy, and obesity.
Ongoing pain and weakness in your hands, fingers, or wrist can impact your quality of life. You must not attempt to self-diagnose carpal tunnel syndrome, as the symptoms can mimic other conditions, such as forms of tendonitis, arthritis, or an underlying stress fracture.
Anytime you have discomfort or pain in the hand or wrist that keeps you from using your hand effectively or engaging in your favorite activities, it is time to see a carpal tunnel syndrome specialist in Richmond for a proper diagnosis.
Persistent symptoms can lead to long-term disability, including numbness, tingling, difficulty sleeping because of the pain and discomfort, and reduced strength in the hand. Worsening symptoms and loss of hand function are potential complications from carpal tunnel syndrome.
You may have thought that your primary care physician may be able to help with the diagnosis and treatment. However, a hand specialist is a better option as they have a variety of treatment methods tailored to the severity and progression of your condition.
A hand specialist has the knowledge and experience of working with the complex structures in your hand and can customize a treatment program to meet your needs. This includes getting an accurate diagnosis through specialized nerve conduction testing that can confirm carpal tunnel syndrome and assess its severity.
A hand specialist will typically recommend conservative, non-surgical treatments first, including wrist splinting, medication, workplace modifications, and ergonomic adjustments that can help reduce the strain on your wrists while doing repetitive tasks. If the conservative treatments fail, an experienced hand specialist can discuss the surgical options that can relieve pain and improve your functioning.
Carpal tunnel syndrome pain and discomfort can trigger long-term disability, loss of strength, and pain. Many people are awakened at night by the pain, and others are not able to perform their daily tasks at home, work, or recreational activities.
We encourage you to call the office and schedule your consultation to see a carpal tunnel syndrome specialist in Richmond who can provide an accurate diagnosis and customize your treatment.
(804) 506-3050