Carpal tunnel syndrome treatment in Dubai

Where in Dubai

Dr. Subhash Ushakoyala, Specialist Orthopaedic Surgeon, sees hand and wrist problems, including numb and tingling fingers, at Grand Infinity Medical Center in Al Muteena, Deira, Dubai. At the first visit he examines the hand, checks the neck and elbow, and decides whether a nerve conduction test is needed. Most people start with a night splint. He explains each next step and what your insurance needs before it.

What is carpal tunnel syndrome?

The carpal tunnel is a narrow passage on the palm side of the wrist. Bones form its floor and sides, and a strong band of tissue, the transverse carpal ligament, forms its roof. Through it run the tendons that bend the fingers and the median nerve, which gives feeling to the thumb and the first three fingers. Carpal tunnel syndrome is when swelling in the tunnel squeezes that nerve. It causes tingling, numbness and pain, often worse at night. It is common in pregnancy, in people with diabetes or thyroid problems, and in work that bends the wrist or grips hard. Early on it can often be eased without surgery.

Common signs

• Tingling, pins and needles or numbness in the thumb, index, middle and ring fingers.
• Symptoms that wake you at night and ease when you shake the hand.
• An ache in the hand or forearm.
• A weak grip, dropping things, or trouble with buttons.
• In long-standing cases, wasting of the muscle at the base of the thumb.

How Dr. Subhash approaches it

Carpal tunnel syndrome treatment is on Dr. Subhash's own list of the problems he treats. He examines the hand and wrist, tests feeling and strength in each finger, and checks the neck and elbow, because a nerve can be squeezed there too. He usually starts with a night splint and changes to activity, and explains when an injection or an operation to release the tunnel is worth considering; he performs the release himself.

What to expect

1. 01

   Consultation

   He asks about your symptoms, work and health, and does simple tests at the wrist that can bring on the tingling.

2. 02

   Nerve test

   If the cause is not clear, or surgery is being considered, a nerve conduction test measures how well the median nerve is working. An ultrasound may also help.

3. 03

   Splint and changes to activity

   A wrist splint worn at night keeps the wrist straight and takes pressure off the nerve. Cutting down on hard gripping and vibrating tools helps too.

4. 04

   Injection

   If a splint is not enough, he explains whether an injection could help.

5. 05

   Release surgery if needed

   If symptoms get worse or other treatment fails, a short day-case operation, often under local anaesthetic, cuts the ligament to make more room for the nerve.

Getting better

Every patient is different. These are typical milestones, not a promise; your own plan comes from your consultation.

• A night splint may need to be worn for up to about six weeks before symptoms ease.
• Symptoms in pregnancy often settle within a few months of the birth.
• After surgery, night pain and tingling often ease early; most normal activities return within about a month.
• Grip and pinch strength usually come back over two to three months, and longer if the nerve was badly squeezed.

Risks to know about

• If pressure on the nerve goes on for a long time, numbness and thumb weakness may not fully recover.
• After surgery: soreness in the palm for some weeks, and rarely infection or nerve injury.

When to book a visit

Where to book