People with rheumatoid arthritis may develop carpal tunnel syndrome and wrist pain. Here are 10 tips to help.

If you have rheumatoid arthritis, you're also at higher risk for carpal tunnel syndrome, a painful condition that affects the hands and wrists.

The carpal tunnel is a structure formed by bones in the wrist and the overlying connective tissue through which nerves and tendons that control thumb and finger movement pass. These nerves and tendons are surrounded and cushioned by a membrane called the synovium. In people with rheumatoid arthritis, carpal tunnel syndrome develops when inflammation causes swelling of the connective tissue, crowding and squeezing the nerves that pass through the carpal tunnel.

Signs of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Common symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome include:

• Wrist pain
• Tingling, numbness, or pain in the affected hand, particularly in the thumb, index finger, and middle finger
• A sensation of electric shock in the thumb, index finger, and middle finger
• Weakness of the hand
• An aching forearm
• Pain and other sensations traveling up the arm toward the shoulder

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: Easing the Pain

Here are 10 ways that people with rheumatoid arthritis can relieve the wrist pain and other discomfort caused by carpal tunnel syndrome:

1. Treat your rheumatoid arthritis. Carpal tunnel syndrome is often caused by an underlying illness like rheumatoid arthritis. Medications like disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) can help bring your rheumatoid arthritis under control, reducing the inflammation that is causing carpal tunnel syndrome.
2. Rest. Avoiding the use of the affected hand or wrist for a couple of weeks could give the inflamed tissue inside the carpal tunnel a chance to heal.
3. Wear a wrist splint. Your doctor may suggest a splint to rest your wrist. A splint keeps the wrist in a neutral position and can be worn while sleeping or during the day.
4. Use pain medication that addresses inflammation. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxen sodium can relieve pain and help reduce swelling of the tissues inside the carpal tunnel.
5. Get a cortisone shot. Steroid injections directly into the carpal tunnel can provide temporary pain relief, but your symptoms probably will come back.
6. Do regular carpal tunnel exercises. Doctors have developed a set of carpal tunnel exercises designed to help stretch the wrists and keep them limber. Performing these exercises at regular intervals may help.
7. Try yoga. Studies have found that people who practice yoga show improvement in their wrist pain and carpal tunnel syndrome. Yoga exercises are designed to stretch and strengthen the joints in the upper body.
8. Take regular breaks at work. Changing your position or taking breaks can really help your carpal tunnel symptoms, particularly if you work at a job that places stress on your wrists. If you type for a living, be sure to take a break and stretch your wrists often. If you use heavy vibrating machinery, see if you can swap jobs with a co-worker on a regular basis or ask your employer for a new assignment.
9. Consider alternative therapies. Many alternative therapies for carpal tunnel syndrome are being studied. These include vitamin B6 supplements, acupuncture, chiropractic care, magnets, and Botox treatments. While these therapies are available, scientific evidence for their effectiveness is scant. Check with your rheumatologist before trying any of these treatments.
10. Investigate surgery. Surgical procedures, often performed on an outpatient basis, can provide relief for carpal tunnel syndrome by opening up the tunnel.

You don’t have to live with carpal tunnel pain on top of battling rheumatoid arthritis. Try these suggestions to help ease your pain and heal your hands and wrists.