Weakness, tingling and pain in your fingers and hands can make it impossible to awe your opponents on the basketball court, not to mention making simple tasks like driving and typing uncomfortable. Carpal tunnel syndrome is a painful affliction that will get worse the longer it goes untreated, so it's important to visit a doctor as soon as you notice discomfort in your hands.
Causes
The bones in the wrists are called carpals, and they form a tunnel through which a nerve runs down to the hand. Carpal tunnel syndrome occurs when this nerve becomes pinched. The injury is generally the result of repetitive movements, like typing, sewing, using tools or playing musical instruments all day. Poor posture and neck and shoulder tension can make carpal tunnel syndrome worse. Sports that involve the hands can also be to blame, but since the injury usually occurs after a great deal of repetitive motion, it's more likely that a professional basketball player would develop it rather than someone who plays a weekend pickup game.
Treatments
If you have a mild case of carpal tunnel syndrome and your doctor catches it early, your treatment will be likely be noninvasive. You may need to wear a splint on your wrist overnight, and your doctor may want to inject anti-inflammatory medication directly into your wrist to reduce your pain. If your carpal tunnel syndrome doesn't get better after wearing a splint, or if your symptoms go untreated for several months, you'll need surgery to relieve the pressure on the pinched nerve.
Getting Back to Basketball
Even if you didn't develop carpal tunnel syndrome from playing basketball, the injury will make even the most casual move into a frustrating experience. Since more repetitive movement will only make your injury worse, it's wise to take a break from the sport until your treatments have eliminated your symptoms. If you're simply wearing a brace and receiving injections, your doctor might permit you to play occasionally, but if you need surgery, you'll have to sit on the bench for a while. According to the Mayo Clinic, it could take anywhere from a few weeks to a few months for your hands and wrists to recover after surgery. You might find that doing exercises to strengthen your shoulders and core muscles will improve your posture and help you prepare for basketball.
Prevention
Once you've successfully treated carpal tunnel syndrome once, or if you've never experienced it but worry that your basketball habits put you at risk, take steps to prevent the injury from occurring in the future. Stretch your hands and fingers before playing a game. It's best to avoid playing basketball in cold weather, but if you must play in a cold environment, wear fingerless gloves to keep your hands warm. Try to keep your hands and wrists as loose as possible when you're handling the ball, since gripping items tightly can increase your risk of developing carpal tunnel syndrome. Stretch your shoulders and neck before a game and remind yourself to keep your shoulders relaxed and lowered as you play.
