The recipient of an MD from the University of Virginia School of Medicine, Dr. Bobby Chhabra is an orthopedic hand surgeon at the University of Virginia Hand Center. Dr. Bobby Chhabra has performed surgeries for serious hand abnormalities such as thumb aplasia as well as conditions such as carpal tunnel syndrome.

Also called medial nerve syndrome, carpal tunnel syndrome is a condition that often results in weakness, pain, numbness, or tingling sensations in the hands. Many factors, such as health problems, wrist anatomy, injury, and repetitive activities that require hand motions such as typing, can contribute to the development of carpal tunnel syndrome.

The carpal tunnel is a nerve passageway on the palm side of the wrist which is surrounded by bones and ligaments. A major nerve that passes through the carpal tunnel is the median nerve, which directs the movement of the fingers. When the bones or ligaments surrounding the carpal tunnel are subjected to excess pressure or injury they may swell, causing the carpal tunnel to get narrower, and exerting pressure on the median nerve. If left untreated, it can result in loss of function in the hand.

Carpal tunnel syndrome can be diagnosed with imaging tests or nerve conduction studies. Reducing activities that require hand movements, medication, and nerve gliding exercises can help manage symptoms and improve the condition. In cases where the condition is severe, or other treatments fail, a surgery called carpal tunnel release can be done. Carpal tunnel release helps reduce pressure on the median nerve, thus alleviating pain and returning normal function.