Are you waking up multiple times a night because of hand pain and numbness? Many people with carpal tunnel syndrome experience more symptoms at night, affecting sleep to the point that it makes it difficult to function during the day.
At Orthopedic & Wellness in Frederick, Waldorf, and Germantown, Maryland, our experienced orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Ojedapo Ojeyemi, specializes in diagnosing and treating carpal tunnel syndrome. Here, we explain why your symptoms are worse at night and how to fix it.
This condition is a type of compression neuropathy involving the median nerve as it passes through a narrow and rigid passageway in the wrist called the carpal tunnel. It affects more than 14% of the world’s population, making it the most common musculoskeletal disorder in the world.
The median nerve is a sensory and motor nerve that provides feeling in the thumb, index, middle, and ring finger and controls the muscles at the base of the thumb.
Any irritation or inflammation that reduces space in the carpal tunnel may compress the nerve leading to symptoms. In addition to the median nerve, the tendons that bend the fingers travel through the carpal tunnel.
This condition is common in people with a naturally smaller carpal tunnel and people who engage in repetitive hand and wrist movements. Health conditions like pregnancy, diabetes, and rheumatoid arthritis may also contribute to carpal tunnel syndrome.
Symptoms may go largely unnoticed at first, especially if they go away quickly. But carpal tunnel syndrome symptoms worsen over time and may lead to permanent nerve damage if you don’t get treatment.
Many people first notice their carpal tunnel syndrome symptoms during the middle of the night, waking up with pins and needles in their hand. A few factors may play a role in the nighttime symptoms.
Most often, the cause is wrist position while sleeping. You may sleep with your wrist bent or in an awkward position that compresses the nerve, causing symptoms.
Reduced blood flow to the extremities may also worsen carpal tunnel syndrome symptoms at night. Without enough blood, the nerve can’t function.
No matter the cause, fixing the problem alleviates symptoms and reduces the risk of nerve damage. It may also help you get better sleep.
A brace or splint is one of the first treatments for carpal tunnel syndrome. Wearing it while you sleep prevents the bending that compresses the nerve.
Taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) may also help by reducing inflammation. We may also recommend corticosteroid injections if you have severe symptoms.
Carpal tunnel syndrome doesn’t get better with time, and ignoring your symptoms may lead to more problems. If the pins and needles in your hand wake you up night after night, it’s time to get expert help.
Call Orthopedic & Wellness today or book an appointment online. Our specialists can determine the cause of your symptoms and provide expert recommendations to fix it.
