Carpal tunnel syndrome is the compression of the nerve in the wrist and its common symptoms include numbness and pain in the hand. This condition may be caused by movements that put pressure on the nerve during activities that may require bending the wrist and fingers for long periods of time. Carpel tunnel may also be caused by broken bones that have not heeled properly and from the build-up of lymphatic fluid during pregnancy for example.
Treatment of this condition does not normally require surgery. Relief may be obtained from wearing a splint. However, in severe swelling cortisone injections may be administered to minimise the inflammation. Physicians usually resort to surgery when the aforementioned treatments do not resolve the issue.