Medically reviewed by: Mark A. Yaffe, MD, certified by the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery, subspecialty certified in hand surgery. Last reviewed: October 5, 2026
CARPAL TUNNEL SYNDROME TREATMENT in Schaumburg, Buffalo Grove & Elk Grove Village
Chicago's Top Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Treatment
Dr. Mark Yaffe(opens in a new tab) is an orthopedic specialist with a subspecialty focus on hand and wrist conditions, including carpal tunnel syndrome. Numbness and tingling in the hand that wakes you at night or makes it hard to grip, type or hold a phone are common signs of pressure on the median nerve. Dr. Yaffe’s goal is to relieve that pressure and restore normal hand function with the least invasive approach that will work for you.
Whether your symptoms come and go or have become constant, Dr. Yaffe offers a thorough evaluation and a plan matched to how severe your carpal tunnel syndrome is. As part of his broader hand and wrist care(opens in a new tab), he starts with non-surgical treatment and offers minimally invasive carpal tunnel release, performed in-office with local anesthesia through a small incision, when surgery is the right next step.
Dr. Yaffe takes the time to listen to your concerns and explains your options so you can decide what fits your goals. If you are ready to find relief with one of the hand & wrist doctors serving Schaumburg(opens in a new tab), Buffalo Grove(opens in a new tab), and Elk Grove Village(opens in a new tab), request your first appointment with Dr. Yaffe today.
Hand Numbness, Tingling & Night-Time Wrist Pain
Signs and Symptoms of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Carpal tunnel syndrome is caused by compression of the median nerve as it passes through the narrow carpal tunnel in the wrist, leading to numbness, tingling and pain. Common signs include:
- Numbness and tingling in the fingers: Most often felt in the thumb, index finger, middle finger and part of the ring finger, rather than the little finger.
- Symptoms are often worse at night and can wake you from sleep, and shaking or flexing the hand may bring temporary relief.
- Hand and wrist pain: An ache or burning feeling in the hand or wrist that can travel up the forearm.
- Weak grip and clumsiness: Difficulty holding a cup, buttoning clothes or fine tasks, and a tendency to drop things.
- Symptoms during everyday activity: Flare-ups while driving, typing, using a phone, or holding a book or tool for a while.
- Worsening over time: Intermittent symptoms can become constant if the nerve stays under pressure.
- In advanced cases, the muscles at the base of the thumb can weaken, which is one reason early evaluation is worthwhile.
SPLINTING, THERAPY & IN-OFFICE MINIMALLY INVASIVE RELEASE
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Treatment Options
The right treatment depends on how severe your symptoms are and how much they affect your daily life. Many patients begin with non-surgical care. Dr. Yaffe’s options include:
- Non-surgical care: Wrist splinting, activity changes, and physical or hand therapy. These measures aim to relieve pressure on the nerve and ease symptoms, particularly when carpal tunnel syndrome is caught early.
- Minimally invasive carpal tunnel release: Also called mini carpal tunnel release, this procedure is performed in-office using local anesthesia and a small incision to relieve pressure on the median nerve. It is designed to lead to minimal post-operative pain and a quicker return to activities, and local numbing medication makes sedation with an anesthesiologist unnecessary.
- Minimally-Invasive Surgery(opens in a new tab): Dr. Yaffe uses techniques developed specifically for the hand and wrist, with the goal of reducing recovery time and getting you back to work and the activities you enjoy as soon as possible.
- Preparing for Surgery & Procedure(opens in a new tab): If you and Dr. Yaffe decide on a carpal tunnel release, this guide explains how to get ready for your procedure so you know what to expect.
Surgery is considered when symptoms continue despite non-surgical treatment, or when numbness becomes constant or hand weakness develops. There is no single right time, and Dr. Yaffe will walk through your options with you. This page is for education and does not replace an examination, so an in-person evaluation is the way to confirm your diagnosis and the best plan for you.
About your surgeon. Dr. Mark A. Yaffe is certified by the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery in orthopaedic surgery, with a subspecialty certification in hand surgery, and is a Fellow of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. He earned his M.D. at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, completed his orthopaedic residency at Northwestern, and trained in hand and upper extremity surgery at The Indiana Hand to Shoulder Center. He was named a Castle Connolly Top Doctor in 2026 and a Chicago Magazine Top Doctor in 2025. Read Dr. Yaffe's full bio.(opens in a new tab)
Frequently Asked Questions
What causes carpal tunnel syndrome?
Carpal tunnel syndrome occurs when the median nerve is squeezed inside the carpal tunnel of the wrist, often because swelling or thickening of the surrounding tissue leaves less room for the nerve. It is more common in women, and risk factors include repetitive hand and wrist motion, wrist injury, pregnancy, diabetes, thyroid disease, rheumatoid arthritis and a family history of the condition. Dr. Yaffe evaluates each patient to understand what may be driving their symptoms.
How is carpal tunnel syndrome diagnosed?
Diagnosis starts with your history and a hands-on exam of the hand and wrist, including checking sensation, strength and how your symptoms respond to certain wrist positions. When the diagnosis is unclear or symptoms are severe, additional testing such as nerve studies may be recommended. This gives Dr. Yaffe the information needed to recommend the right level of treatment.
Can carpal tunnel syndrome be treated without surgery?
Often, yes, especially in the earlier stages. Treatment options include wrist splinting, activity changes and physical therapy, which aim to relieve pressure on the nerve. If symptoms persist or progress despite these measures, minimally invasive carpal tunnel release is discussed as the next step.
When should I consider surgery for carpal tunnel syndrome?
Surgery is worth discussing when non-surgical treatment has not given lasting relief, when numbness is constant, when grip strength is declining, or when symptoms interfere with work, hobbies or sleep. Prolonged pressure on the nerve can lead to lasting changes, so Dr. Yaffe reviews the expected benefits and risks of surgery with you so you can make an informed decision before moving forward.
Will I need to be “put under” during my carpal tunnel release?
Probably not. Dr. Yaffe prefers to use local anesthesia for most finger and hand cases, including carpal tunnel release. Local numbing medication makes sedation with an anesthesiologist unnecessary, speeds recovery time and reduces procedure costs, and it is less invasive for patients than general anesthesia. Dr. Yaffe will confirm the anesthesia plan with you before your procedure.
How does minimally invasive carpal tunnel release work?
Minimally invasive carpal tunnel release is performed in-office using local anesthesia and a small incision. Dr. Yaffe releases the tight tissue over the median nerve so the nerve has more room, which is designed to lead to minimal post-operative pain and a quicker return to activities. This minimally invasive surgery(opens in a new tab) uses smaller incisions than traditional open surgery. Results vary by patient, and Dr. Yaffe will discuss what to expect for your situation.
What can I expect during my recovery from carpal tunnel release?
Dr. Yaffe will give you specific instructions for caring for the incision, when to begin using the hand, and when to return to your usual activities. Because the procedure is minimally invasive and performed with local anesthesia, many patients return to light daily activities quickly. Nerve symptoms such as numbness can take time to settle, and recovery timelines vary from patient to patient.
How can I get started with the best hand and wrist specialist near me?
At Dr. Yaffe’s practice, we want it to be as easy as possible to get started on your road to relief. Just use our simple online appointment request(opens in a new tab) tool, and it helps to note which fingers go numb and when symptoms are worst.
Get Your Carpal Tunnel Symptoms Evaluated by a Hand & Wrist Specialist
Expert Orthopedic Care from Mark A. Yaffe, M.D.