Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Treatment in Kathmandu : हात सुन्निने, दुख्ने वा झम्झमाउने समस्या
Medically reviewed by Brain spine & wellness Clinic Last updated: September 2026
What Is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?
Who Gets Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Risk Group | Why They Are at Risk |
IT and office workers | Prolonged keyboard and mouse use keeps the wrist in an extended position for hours at a time. |
Pregnant women | Fluid retention during pregnancy compresses the median nerve within the tunnel. |
Diabetics | Peripheral neuropathy increases how vulnerable the nerve is to compression. |
Manual workers | Repetitive gripping, vibrating tools, and sustained wrist loading add ongoing strain. |
People with hypothyroidism | Fluid retention and tissue changes around the wrist narrow the tunnel over time. |
Older women, especially post-menopause | Hormonal changes after menopause affect the tissue surrounding the nerve, which is part of why CTS is roughly three times more common in women than men. |
CTS most often develops between the ages of about 40 and 60, though it can appear at any age, and having more than one risk factor from this table further increases the likelihood of developing it.
Causes and Risk Factors of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
- Repetitive hand or wrist movement: Tasks that involve repeated gripping, typing, or wrist flexion place ongoing strain on the tunnel and the tissue around it.
- Wrist injury or fracture: A wrist fracture, especially one that heals in a slightly abnormal position, can narrow the carpal tunnel and compress the nerve.
- Pregnancy: Fluid retention during pregnancy can increase pressure within the carpal tunnel, and symptoms often ease after delivery.
- Diabetes: Diabetes can affect nerve health directly and is a well-recognized risk factor for CTS.
- Thyroid conditions: An underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism) is associated with a higher risk of developing CTS.
- Rheumatoid arthritis and other inflammatory conditions: Inflammation around the tendons in the wrist can add pressure on the median nerve.
- Obesity: Higher body weight is linked to increased risk, likely related to added pressure within the tunnel.
- Individual anatomy: Some people simply have a naturally narrower carpal tunnel, which makes them more prone to compression.
What Are the Symptoms of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?
- Numbness or tingling (सुन्न हुने): Usually felt in the thumb, index finger, middle finger, and part of the ring finger. The little finger is typically not affected, since it’s supplied by a different nerve.
- A burning or “pins and needles” sensation (झमझम हुने): Often described as a prickling feeling in the fingers or palm.
- Pain in the wrist or hand (हात दुख्ने): Can range from mild discomfort to a more noticeable ache, and may radiate up the forearm in some cases.
- Symptoms that worsen at night: Many people are woken up by numbness or tingling, since wrist position during sleep can increase pressure on the nerve.
- Weak grip or clumsiness: Difficulty holding objects, dropping things, or trouble with fine tasks like buttoning a shirt.
- Swelling sensation (हात सुन्निएको जस्तो महसुस हुने): Some people describe a feeling of puffiness or swelling in the hand, even when no visible swelling is present.
- Muscle wasting at the base of the thumb: In longer-standing or more severe cases, the muscle at the base of the thumb can visibly shrink and weaken.
How Is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Diagnosed?
- Medical history and physical examination: The doctor asks about symptoms, work or daily activities, and examines the hand and wrist for weakness or muscle changes.
- Tinel’s sign: Gently tapping over the median nerve at the wrist to see if it reproduces tingling in the fingers.
- Phalen’s test: Holding the wrist in a flexed position for about a minute to check whether it brings on numbness or tingling.
- Nerve conduction study and EMG: This is considered the most reliable way to confirm CTS and assess how severe the nerve compression is. It measures how well electrical signals travel through the median nerve.
- X-ray, when needed: Not used to diagnose CTS directly, but may be ordered if a wrist fracture or bone abnormality is suspected as a contributing cause.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Treatment in Kathmandu
Treatment generally starts with the least invasive options and moves toward surgery only if needed.
- Self-Care Practices: Effective for mild cases. Resting the wrist, avoiding repetitive strain, and wearing a splint, especially at night, can meaningfully ease early symptoms.
- Medications:
- Ibuprofen (NSAIDs): Can help relieve pain and mild inflammation.
- Cortisone (corticosteroids): An injection into the carpal tunnel can reduce inflammation and often provides meaningful relief, though for some patients this relief doesn’t last long term.
Before using any medicine, please consult your doctor, since the right option depends on your health history and how your symptoms present.
- Procedures
- Endoscopic surgery: A camera-guided technique used to cut the ligament through a small incision.
- Open palm surgery: Involves a single incision over the carpal tunnel to access and release the ligament directly.
Both are established, effective surgical options. Which one is used depends on the individual case — see “When Is Surgery Necessary?” below for more on how that decision is made.
- Physical Therapy: Stretching and nerve-gliding exercises, guided by a physiotherapist, can help maintain wrist mobility and often support recovery alongside splinting or after surgery.
- Dietary Considerations: Diet isn’t a substitute for medical treatment, but some patients find certain foods helpful alongside it. The evidence here is more limited than for splinting, medication, or surgery, so these are worth discussing with your doctor rather than relying on alone:
- Omega-3 fatty acids
- Vitamin B6-rich foods
- Anti-inflammatory foods
When Is Surgery Necessary?
- Symptoms are severe and haven’t improved after about 4 to 6 months of consistent conservative treatment, including splinting, activity changes, and steroid injections.
- Nerve conduction studies (NCS) show objective evidence of significant nerve damage, rather than just clinical suspicion.
- Thenar muscle wasting is present, which points to significant, and potentially irreversible, nerve damage if not addressed.
For most CTS patients in kathmandu, particularly those in the early to moderate stages, surgery isn’t necessary, and conservative treatment at Brain spins & wellness clinic provides good results for the majority of patients.
The decision is made on a case-by-case basis, and a hand or orthopedic specialist can advise on what’s most appropriate for your specific symptoms and severity.
When Should You See a Doctor for CTS
- Numbness or tingling in the hand that persists for more than two weeks
- Symptoms that regularly wake you up at night
- Weakness, clumsiness, or dropping objects more than usual
- Symptoms that are getting worse despite rest or wrist splinting
- Visible thinning of the muscle at the base of the thumb
- Pain or numbness that is starting to interfere with work or daily activities
Earlier evaluation generally means more treatment options are available, including conservative approaches that can prevent the need for surgery later on.
Book Your Carpal Tunnel Consultation
If you’re experiencing numbness, tingling, or hand pain that fits this pattern, Dr Suresh Sapkota at Brain spine & wellness clinic in Kathmandu can evaluate your symptoms and recommend the right next step, from splinting through to surgery if needed. Book an appointment or Contact Us at 970-9087879
This article is intended for general educational purposes and does not replace professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you’re experiencing symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome, please consult a qualified doctor for a proper evaluation.
