There are ways to reduce pain and even avoid surgery. Rea King understands carpal tunnel syndrome as well as anyone. She is a physical therapist who works with carpal tunnel patients, and King is a patient herself. If I sat here and typed a letter for 10 minutes, my fingers would be very swollen, she explained.
Repetitive motion can cause carpal ligaments to swell.
Carpals are the wrist bones that make up the back side of this tunnel. King uses voice technology to operate her computer. It eliminates almost all keystrokes with her fingers and wrists. Dr. David Zehr is a hand surgeon. But he helps people avoid surgery if at all possible.