Are you familiar with the term "Carpal Tunnel Syndrome"?



The compression of the median nerve at the wrist causes Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS), a frequent issue affecting hand function. The transverse carpal ligament, which forms the top of the carpal tunnel is formed by numerous bones in the wrist. The carpal tunnel holds the median nerve as well as nine tendons. Carpal tunnel syndrome can be caused by inflammation and growth of the median nerve, tendons, thickening of the transverse carpal ligament, or the presence of a mass lesion (such as a tumour or cyst) within the carpal tunnel, or a combination of these factors.  The end outcome, regardless of the exact cause is pressure on the median nerve and dysfunction.

Symptoms of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Carpal tunnel syndrome manifests itself in the following ways:

  • Numbness in your palm and thumb, or your index and middle fingers that are burning, tingling, or itching
  • Hand tremors and difficulty holding objects
  • Feelings of shock that migrate into your fingers
  • A tingling sensation that travels up your arm

Because this position puts more pressure on the median nerve in the carpal tunnel, these sensations are often exaggerated when the wrist is bent forward. The numbness or pain may be more intense at night, keeping patients awake or waking them up. This is frequently the case due to sleeping hand/wrist position. These symptoms may occur more frequently through the day when doing activities that require you to bend your wrist. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome might occur if you have a work that requires you to perform repetitive motions with your arm, hand, or wrist.

Diagnosis and Tests for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Your doctor may do a Tinel sign test on the palm side of your wrist or fully flex your wrist with your arms extended. They may also conduct tests such as:

Imaging tests where your doctor can examine your bones and tissues using X-rays, ultrasounds, or MRI tests. An electromyogram is a tiny electrode that is inserted into a muscle by your doctor to measure its electrical activity. Nerve conduction studies are a type of research that looks at how the nerves transmit.  Electrodes are taped to your skin to measure the signals in your hand and arm's nerves.

Treatment for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Your treatment will be determined by your symptoms and the stage of your illness. You might require:

Changes in your lifestyle:  If your symptoms are caused by repeated motion, take more breaks or do less of the activity that is causing you pain.

Workouts:  Can make you feel better by stretching or strengthening your muscles. Nerve gliding activities can help your carpal tunnel nerve glide more freely.

Immobilization:  Wearing a splint to restrict your wrist from moving and relieve pressure on your nerves may be recommended by your doctor. Wear one at night to help relieve the numbness or tingling sensation. This can help you sleep better while also allowing your median nerve to relax.

Medication:  To reduce swelling, your doctor may prescribe anti-inflammatory medicines or steroid injections.

Surgical procedures:  If none of these therapies work, you may need a procedure called carpal tunnel release, which enlarges the tunnel and relieves pressure on the nerve.

Complications of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

If you don't treat carpal tunnel syndrome, the symptoms can persist for a long time and worsen. They could also leave and then return. The illness is easier to cure if you acquire a diagnosis early. You can prevent permanent muscle injury and keep your hand functioning normally.

Preventing Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

  • Keep your wrists straight to avoid carpal tunnel syndrome.
  • Keeps your wrist in a neutral posture using a splint or brace.
  • Repeatedly flexing and extending your wrists is not recommended.
  • Warm up your hands.
  • When you get the opportunity, take a break.
  • While you're working, make sure your hands and wrists are in the proper position.

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