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Rehabilitation
for carpal tunnel syndrome
Exercises
Alternative exercises
Rehabilitation after surgery
When can I return to my sport or activity?
Read more about carpal tunnel
syndrome
Rehabilitation
As an athlete, your number one concern is getting back to full strength
as soon as possible so that you can return to training and competition.
That is why appropriate rehabilitation is extremely important.
The most common rehabilitation
for carpal tunnel syndrome often includes the following:
- Rest
Resting the wrist by keeping it straight and decreasing activities that
worsen pain.
- Ice
Gently applying ice packs to the area.
- Elevation
Elevating the hand above the heart to reduce swelling.
- Exercise
Exercises as directed by your health care provider.
- Wrist splint
A splint will prevent extreme movements of the wrist. It's most effective
when worn at night and can help avoid waking up with symptoms.
- Medications
Take ibuprofen to reduce pain. An injection of cortisone into the carpal
tunnel may also be prescribed.
- Surgery
Surgery may be needed if symptoms are severe or continue after trying
other treatments. The most common procedure is the carpal tunnel release.
The major objectives
of rehabilitation from carpal tunnel syndrome are to improve the elasticity
of the carpal tunnel and to gradually increase pain-free range of motion
of the hand, wrist, thumb, and fingers. The exercises below may help achieve
this. These exercises should be performed once or twice daily.
Exercises
- Extend and stretch
both wrists and fingers acutely as if they are in a hand-stand position.
Hold for a count of 5.
- Straighten both
wrists and relax fingers.
- Make a tight fist
with both hands. Then bend both wrists down while keeping the fist.
Hold for a count of 5.
- Straighten both
wrists and relax fingers, for a count of 5.
- Repeat exercise
10 times, then hang arms loosely at side and shake them for a couple
of seconds. Total exercise time: 5 to 10 minutes.
Alternative exercises
During the period when normal training should be avoided, alternative
exercises may be used. These activities should not require any actions
that create or intensify pain at the site of injury. They include:
Rehabilitation
after surgery
Keep in mind that if your carpal tunnel syndrome requires surgery, the
soft tissue needs time to heal before exercise can begin.
A physical therapy
program usually begins with range-of-motion and resistive exercises, then
incorporates power, aerobic and muscular endurance, flexibility, and coordination
drills.
Finally, patients
develop speed and agility through sport-specific exercise routines.
The ultimate goal
of carpal tunnel surgery is to provide dynamic stability while maintaining
full range of motion, so that athletes can return to competitive or recreational
sports. Progress is assessed by the patient's perception of how stable
the hand/wrist feels and by comparing the strength and stability of the
injured and uninjured hands.
When can I return
to my sport or activity?
Some may be ready for participation in a week, others not for two or more
weeks. Of course, time for return-to-activity is much longer if surgery
is necessary. Keep in mind that carpal tunnel syndrome may recur if the
causative activity is continued. Just be sure to continue the exercises
and prevention techniques to reduce risk of a recurrence.
Remember: The goal
of rehabilitation is to return you to your sport or activity as soon as
is safely possible. If you return too soon you may worsen your injury,
which could lead to permanent damage. Everyone recovers from injury at
a different rate. Return to your activity is determined by how soon your
carpal tunnel syndrome recovers, not by how many days or weeks it has
been since your injury occurred.
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