Can Stem Cell Therapy Help Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?

Regenerative medicine procedures such as stem cell therapy and platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy can improve the lives of patients. Stem cell therapy is a safe and effective alternative to surgery and steroid injections for treating wrist pain. 

Orthopedic physician Bruce Fishman, MD, understands how chronic pain from conditions like carpal tunnel syndrome can have a significant impact on your day-to-day life. In this blog, we address how stem cell therapy can help improve your wrist pain.

Carpal tunnel syndrome: What is it?

Between your palm and wrist is a tunnel, or passageway. The median nerve and tendons that connect your palm and forearm are located inside this tunnel. When you perform repetitive actions with your wrist, such as typing or painting, the nerve in your wrist can become compressed and damaged.

This causes a variety of symptoms, such as wrist pain and abnormal sensations, including tingling and numbness that make it difficult to carry out daily tasks. The symptoms are usually more noticeable right before going to bed and when you first wake up. Simple tasks like lifting an object such as a book or phone can bring on symptoms.

Carpal tunnel syndrome is common, and it’s important to know that it’s often a chronic, progressive condition, so you shouldn’t put off seeking treatment. Ignoring carpal tunnel syndrome symptoms can result in permanent nerve damage.

When conventional treatment fails 

Traditional treatments such as steroid injections and wrist braces don’t always provide adequate relief. Your doctor may recommend surgery. If you’re struggling with symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome despite conventional treatment and you don’t want to undergo surgery, stem cell therapy may be an option for you.

Stem cell therapy has some unique aspects. Stem cells are specialized cells with the ability to differentiate into cells like bone, cartilage, tendons, and muscle. They aid the body's natural healing abilities. 

This can be a powerful treatment that may help you avoid surgery and the lengthy rehabilitation required after surgery to regain a normal range of motion, mobility, and strength. 

The stem cell therapy process 

We direct stem cells to your damaged wrist to give your body the healing boost it needs to repair your damaged tissue. As the stem cells work to reduce inflammation and regenerate and repair your tissue, they also enlist the help of additional healing resources in the body.

This method of treating chronic pain gets to the root of the problem by working with your body to address and repair the underlying cause of your pain.

You may require a series of stem cell treatments, depending on the condition of your wrist, and you should see results gradually as the stem cells rebuild from within. 

Relief from carpal tunnel syndrome 

Stem cell therapy is a painless procedure with little to no downtime. Every procedure performed in our office uses advanced, state-of-the-art equipment. Dr. Fishman conducts a thorough consultation to understand your wrist pain and determine if you’re a good candidate for stem cell therapy.

If you’re ready to explore a future forward treatment approach for carpal tunnel syndrome, call our office in Encino, California, and speak to one of our team members to schedule a visit with Dr. Fishman. You can also request an appointment online.