Wipe Out Wrist Pain for Good

By Tracy Simons | Silver Cross Hospital

According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome usually start gradually, with frequent tingling or itching numbness in the palm of the hand and the fingers, especially the thumb, index and middle fingers. These symptoms often first appear in one or both hands during the night, and you may wake up feeling the need to “shake out” the hand or wrist.

As symptoms worsen, you might feel tingling during the day and have a decreased grip strength that may make it difficult to form a fist or grasp small objects. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, find out if you are suffering from carpal tunnel syndrome by attending an upcoming lecture discussing the condition or schedule a free screening offered by Silver Cross Hospital.

[ A Sponsored Feature by Silver Cross Hospital ]

Free Lecture - Aches & Pains: Wrist & Hand Pain

Join an Occupational Therapist with the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago at Silver Cross Hospital for a discussion on how carpal tunnel syndrome can lead to arthritis and share simple exercises to help prevent and relieve the pain.

The program will occur on Monday, March 2, 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. in the Silver Cross Hospital Conference Center, 1890 Silver Cross Blvd., New Lenox. This free Aches & Pains: Wrist & Hand Pain program is part of an Aches & Pains Lecture Series which also includes seminars on sinus pressure and low back pain. Register to attend one or more programs at www.silvercross.org or call 1-888-660-HEAL (4325). All participants will receive a gift bag that includes a complimentary carpal tunnel or low back screening performed by a physician with The Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago at Silver Cross, and other items to help you stay active.

Free Carpal Tunnel Screening

Occupational therapists will evaluate and discuss therapy options for individuals experiencing pain, numbness, or tingling in the wrist or fingers. Occupational therapists with RIC at Silver Cross will offer free screenings on Tuesday, March 3, and Thursday, March 5, at The Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago at Silver Cross Hospital-Pavilion A-New Lenox and on Wednesday, March 1, at The Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago at Silver Cross, 1051 Essington Rd, Joliet. Cal l815-300-7110 (Pavilion A) or 815-300-6580 (West Joliet) to schedule an appointment.

“Carpal tunnel syndrome occurs when the median nerve, which runs from the forearm into the palm of the hand, becomes squeezed at the wrist,” says Linda Brunner, occupational therapist with The Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago (RIC) at Silver Cross Hospital.

“The median nerve controls sensations to the palm side of the thumb and fingers as well as impulses to some small muscles in the hand that allow the fingers and thumb to move. The carpal tunnel, which is a narrow, rigid passageway of ligament and bones at the base of the hand, houses the median nerve and tendons. Sometimes, thickening from irritated tendons narrows the tunnel and causes the median nerve to be compressed. The result may be pain, weakness, or numbness in the hand and wrist, radiating up the arm.”

Treatments for Relief

Rest: Initial treatment for carpal tunnel syndrome generally involves resting the affected hand and wrist for at least 2 weeks, avoiding activities that may worsen symptoms, and immobilizing the wrist in a splint to avoid further damage from twisting or bending. If there is inflammation, applying cool packs can help reduce swelling.

Drugs: In special circumstances, various drugs can ease the pain and swelling associated with carpal tunnel syndrome. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as aspirin, ibuprofen, and other nonprescription pain relievers, may ease symptoms that have been present for a short time or have been caused by strenuous activity.

Therapy: Rehabilitation can be helpful for people whose symptoms have escalated. Therapy is supervised by a physical or occupational therapist, who are trained to use exercises to treat physical impairments, and teach people skills to improve their health.

Recurrence of carpal tunnel syndrome following treatment is rare. “If treated early, carpal tunnel symptoms usually go away with nonsurgical treatment,” said Brunner.

About the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago at Silver Cross Hospital

Silver Cross Hospital and the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago (RIC) have teamed up to expand post-acute physical medicine and rehabilitation services in Will County and the southwest Chicagoland communities. The partnership provides world-class rehabilitation care for a range of conditions for patients close to home. Silver Cross is the only healthcare facility in the area with this breadth of services in partnership with RIC. Together, Silver Cross and RIC provide rehabilitation services in inpatient and outpatient care settings at four locations—at the main Hospital and the Silver Cross Professional Buildings in Homer Glen, New Lenox and West Joliet. Additionally, the RIC team provides therapy services for patients on the hospital’s medical and surgical floors. For more information about RIC at Silver Cross, call (815) 300-7110 or visit www.silvercross.org.

About Silver Cross Hospital

Silver Cross Hospital is a not-for-profit health care provider serving Will County and southwest suburban communities since 1895. Silver Cross has been recognized as a Thomson Reuters 100 Top Hospitals National Award winner for seven consecutive years and as a Hospital of Choice by the American Alliance of Healthcare Providers. With nearly 4,000 employees, physicians and volunteers, Silver Cross operates a 289-bed acute care hospital and 5 satellite facilities providing outpatient services and physician offices. Silver Cross opened a state-of-the-art replacement hospital in 2012 at I-355 and Route 6 in New Lenox. In 2013, Silver Cross provided over $48 million in charity care and other community benefits. To learn more about Silver Cross Hospital or a referral to a physician on staff, visit www.silvercross.org or call 1-888-660-HEAL (4325). Physicians on Silver Cross Hospital’s Medical Staff have expertise in their areas of practice to meet the needs of patients seeking their care. These physicians are independent practitioners on the Medical Staff and are not the agents or employees of Silver Cross Hospital. They treat patients based upon their independent medical judgment and they bill patients separately for their services.