Searching for a carpal tunnel doctor can seem overwhelming as you learn to cope with your condition and communicate with your insurance company at the same time. As you search for a doctor, you will want to know how to assess your finds so that you can make the best choice.
Quality care can be found with a carpal tunnel doctor in NJ so that you don’t have to head to the city to find it—and following these tips can help to make your search and assessment process much easier.
A Look at Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
The “carpal tunnel” refers to a small space in your wrist where the median nerve and tendons run from from your forearm to the wrist. The tunnel is made up of the carpal bones on the sides and floor, while a ligament, a type of connective tissue, covers the top of the tunnel. The median nerve provides sensation for select fingers and movements.
Carpal tunnel syndrome is a condition that occurs when the tendons begin to irritate the nerve because they have become compressed. There are many potential causes of carpal tunnel syndrome, including other health conditions and diseases, as well as hand usage and repetitive movements, genetics, age and other factors. Sometimes, carpal tunnel syndrome is a combination of issues.
Symptoms of carpal tunnel include tingling, numbness and pain. Early stages of carpal tunnel can be alleviated with physical therapy, drug therapy and other nonsurgical interventions. As carpal tunnel syndrome progresses, however, surgery is often the best solution.
Once you and your doctor have determined that surgery is the best course of action to help your carpal tunnel syndrome, you can begin to assess potential carpal tunnel doctors.
Qualities to Look for in a Carpal Tunnel Doctor
There are several qualities that are key in choosing a carpal tunnel doctor. Looking for a trustworthy and honest carpal tunnel doctor doesn’t have to mean heading to NYC. There are many carpal tunnel doctors here in NJ that are honest, trustworthy and have other key qualities, such as a board certification and experience performing carpal tunnel surgery, along with a great staff and positive reviews.
A carpal tunnel doctor is qualified to perform hand surgery because they have a board certification in hand surgery, orthopedic surgery, plastic surgery or neurosurgery. Board certification means that they are required to have ongoing training in the best techniques.
Questions to Ask During Your Consultation
During your consultation, be sure to ask any questions that you may have. You should be able to get a feel for whether or not you feel comfortable with your doctor because of the responses that you receive. If your doctor seems impatient or put off by your questions, then it is probably not the best fit. Feel free to bring a list of questions with you so that you don’t forget to cover all of your bases. Here are some to get you started:
- Is my carpal tunnel surgery covered by insurance?
- Do you (the doctor) accept my insurance?
- How severe is my particular case of carpal tunnel? Have you treated a case liek this before?
- Is surgery really necessary? Are there any other non-surgical treatments to try?
- What is the recovery process for carpal tunnel surgery like?
- How soon can I resume normal activities?
- What can I expect from the results?
More Things to Keep in Mind for Assessing a Carpal Tunnel Doctor in NJ
When you assess carpal tunnel doctors, know that your comfort is of the primary importance. Being comfortable with your doctor can help you achieve a better outcome from treatment and surgery. As you look for a carpal tunnel doctor, remember:
- You don’t have to go with the first doctor that you are referred to. Although many patients do, it is often best to meet with more than one doctor to ensure that you feel comfortable with the level of care that your doctor provides.
- If you’re not comfortable with your doctor, their staff or the treatment plan, don’t move forward with that practice. Being comfortable and feeling secure can affect the outcome of your surgery, so make sure that you are happy with your choice.
- Know that you don’t have to go to the trouble of finding a carpal tunnel doctor all the way in the city. You can find top quality care with a carpal tunnel doctor in NJ, saving you the expense and hassle of making an out-of-state appointment.
By understanding how to assess a carpal tunnel doctor, you can help to ensure better care and better results from your procedure.
