The most conservative treatments start with resting the joint, splinting, and medication. If symptoms remain intolerable or worsen, doctors may recommend surgery. In some cases, a power wheelchair may be the only viable solution. Wheelchair racing and similar sports in which seating position and stroke technique are substantially different may be helpful forms of exercise. Activities such as swimming, handcycling, rowing, or arm-cycle ergometry may be beneficial.
Body weight is a key factor for risk of CTS and shoulder-joint degeneration.
Being overweight increases your risk significantly. Wheelchair choice and how it is set up may affect whether the rider will develop arm pain. Recent studies have shown that an adjustable ultra-light chair may help reduce this risk. As stated previously, avoid high force and repetitions. Higher quality wheelchairs tend to roll straighter and have lower rolling resistance.