Specialization in medicine is crucial today. Often when patients experience pain or an injury they know that the services of a specialist are required. But, what type of doctor do they need?
Orthopedic doctors handle injuries and conditions of the musculoskeletal system, and within the field there are specialists. For carpal tunnel, look for an orthopedic surgeon who specializes in hands, wrists, elbows and upper body extremeties—sometimes called a hand surgeon.
While orthopedic doctors are called “orthopedic surgeons,” not all carpal tunnel treatment involves surgery. In fact, carpal tunnel is often treated without surgery. Often times a doctor will work with you to alleviate or minimize the activity aggravating carpal tunnel. Various approaches can be used to help reduce the chance of developing or further aggravating this condition from a hobby or your job.
Frequent breaks from the activity can be scheduled, with exercises designed to flex the wrist and hand to increase circulation and foster healing. Anti-inflammatory medications are often helpful, and in the case of more problematic conditions, corticosteroid injections may be used.
Specialists in the field of hand rehabilitation, called Occupational Therapists, can design programs, specialized exercises and activities to help strengthen the hand and relieve the pressure on the wrist. They may design specialized splints to be worn at night, to keep the wrist stable when sleeping. All of these approaches may help the condition and prevent further deterioration.
If surgery is required, you want a specialist to perform this delicate operation. Dr. Rehman employs minimally-invasive surgery with state-of-the-art techniques and tools to relieve the pressure on the median nerve- the cause of the numbness, tingling and pain in the wrists and hands in carpal tunnel syndrome. Her team of occupational, or hand therapists, will work with you on a program for recovery to eliminate pain and regain full range of motion and strength in your affected hand and wrist.
If you are experiencing pain in the wrist or hand, contact Dr. Rehman for a comprehensive evaluation. Not all wrist pain is carpal tunnel syndrome, and proper diagnosis is critical to proper treatment.
More Info on Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
- About Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
- More Articles on Carpal Tunnel
- Articles on Minimally Invasive Carpal Tunnel Surgery
- Buy Wrist and Hand Supports
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