Is Carpal Tunnel Surgery Right for You?
Carpal tunnel surgery can help relieve hand pain, numbness, and weakness by cutting a ligament to ease pressure on the median nerve.
Carpal tunnel surgery can help relieve hand pain, numbness, and weakness by cutting a ligament to ease pressure on the median nerve.
Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is a condition that develops when the median nerve—a major nerve that controls movement and sensation in the hand and fingers—becomes compressed or pinched. Specifically, this nerve supplies sensations to your thumb, index, middle, and ring fingers. As a result, you can experience symptoms such as numbness, tingling, and pain in the hand and fingers.
The infraspinatus muscle works alongside three other rotator cuff muscles to stabilize and move the shoulder. This triangular-shaped structure primarily externally rotates the arm. This means it rotates the arm toward the outside of the body. It also assists with moving the scapula (shoulder blade) when your shoulder joint is fixed (not moving). Occasionally, repetitive movements or other disorders can cause pain in this muscle.
Exercises can help improve mobility and strengthen the muscles in the hand and wrist when treating de Quervain's tenosynovitis. Common exercises include thumb stretches, wrist extensions, and using a resistance band to improve strength without pain.
Rotator cuff tears may require surgery to repair, but they can often heal with rest, physical therapy, and medication when needed. Discuss with your orthopedist when to have or not have rotator cuff surgery.