Do you say to yourself, “My carpal tunnel doctor doesn’t care about me.” That's a sign you have a bad doctor.

Sure, the doctor can be technically competent. But do you really want somebody treating your carpal tunnel syndrome who doesn't care if you're in pain or not? This article describes the key signs you have a good or bad carpal tunnel doctor.

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1. Meaningful face-to-face time

The sad fact is that most doctors spend less than 10 minutes with a patient. Remember, you're planning to treat your hand pain or numbness, which affects your entire life. And if you're discussing a possible surgery, 10 minutes is simply not enough time to explain the problem and how to fix it.

First and foremost, be sure your doctor doesn't rush you. Your doctor should encourage you to formulate your concerns and ask questions. If the doctor is patient and understanding, they will respond and address your concerns so you can understand what's at stake. They will care if you feel comfortable and satisfied. In other words, their bedside manners will be evident.

But if the doctor rushes you, makes you feel uncomfortable, or if they have one foot out of the exam room door while talking, you're being short-changed. Find another doctor!

In any profession, there's no substitution for experience. A good carpal tunnel doctor will have years of training behind him or her. If you're not sure, don't be shy about asking how long they have been a carpal tunnel doctor. A good doctor will be proud or their achievements and will gladly share them with you.

Also, experience means the doctor should discuss all of the possible "knowns" and "unknowns" relating to your condition. In other words, what is your probability of success with one non-surgical therapy versus another? Are multiple therapies warranted? Is the treatment plan clearly outlined? These are especially important if surgery is in the plan (see 5 below).

A good carpal tunnel doctor will care that your questions are answered fully and to your satisfaction. They will want you to clearly understand what your condition is and the best way to treat it for your circumstances. They will not rush you or make you feel like another patient is waiting.

If you feel that your questions are being evaded, or if the answers are unclear, vague, or rushed then find another doctor!

Most doctors keep up-to-date with the latest science and clinical studies. This also goes for a good carpal tunnel doctor.

They should know that the latest studies show that the old advice of "wear a brace all day and night" is incorrect. In fact, you should only wear a brace at night, and not during the daytime.

Furthermore, only a certified carpal tunnel brace should be used at night. That means it doesn't have a palmar spine.

So if your carpal tunnel doctor recommends wearing any old brace at night AND during the day, then you have a bad doctor!

For over 20 years, the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons (AAOS) has been warning doctors that carpal tunnel surgery was completely unnecessary in half of patients who had surgery. In other words, patients were advised to have surgery when they didn't need it.

As a result, the AAOS drafted guidelines for carpal tunnel doctors to address this. The major takeaway is that patients should try ALL non-surgical remedies first, and for at least 6 months, before surgery is even considered.

Therefore, if you doctor says, "You need surgery" right up front, then you must see another doctor!

Experienced carpal tunnel doctors will know how successful their patients were when using non-surgical therapies like bracing, stretching exercises, myofascial massage, and steroid shots.

And it's okay if the doctor says the outcome is "hard to predict". That's because everybody's circumstances are different, and in reality it's the most likely scenario for most patients. But it's also reasonable for your doctor to give you some expectation of your outcome. In other words, a reasonable answer would be, "Patients with your level of symptoms can expect..."

The same goes for surgical options. But in this case, the doctor should have a much better estimation of your post-surgical outcome. In fact, they should have the statistics of their surgical success up front.

Patients are supposed to trust their carpal tunnel doctor. And that doctor should have a patient's best interests in mind. Sadly, this is not a universal truth anymore. Too many physicians are forced to meet their practice's target revenues. That means putting money first makes for a bad doctor - and bad healthcare. This article highlights the signs you have a good, caring doctor versus a bad one.