ORTHOPEDICS/HAND & WRIST/CARPAL TUNNEL DISEASE
The carpal tunnel is a narrow channel in the wrist that shields the hand and tendons principal nerve allowing moving and flexion the first three fingers.
The carpal tunnel is a narrow channel in the wrist that shields the hand and tendons principal nerve allowing moving and flexion the first three fingers.
A Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is caused by this nerve compression in the wrist.
When compressed, the nerve enhances tingling, numbness, and weakness feelings.
The Carpal Tunnel
The wrist bones on the bottom and sides shape the carpal tunnel with the top covered by the transverse ligament, known as the flexor retinaculum.
Inside the tunnel we find the median nerve and nine tendons extending from the arm muscles and that are used to moving the index finger, the middle finger, and the thumb.
A lubricating membrane, (the synovium), coats the tendons and may inflame under certain disorders.
If the inflammation presses the nerve against the transverse ligament, numbness and tingling are felt.
Indications
Carpal tunnel syndrome tends to start with coldness and burning signs in the thumb, or the index finger that usually increase at nighttime.
Over the time, the coldness can become continuous.
If carpal tunnel is kept untreated, it can lead to muscle impairment.
Carpal Tunnel Indicators
There are numerous reasons and risk factors, that may increase the chances of getting carpal tunnel syndrome.
A wrist displacement or crack may create a pressure modification in the carpal tunnel, increasing the chances for median nerve impairment. (Obesity is a frequent risk factor).
In addition, in women, fluid retaining, precisely during pregnancy or menopause, can increase this pressure on the median nerve as well.
Furthermore, some medical circumstances such as diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, kidney failure, or thyroid disorders, are also risk factors for carpal tunnel syndrome.
Carpal Tunnel / Causes and Risk Factors
Diagnosis
Physical examination and a few different tests are the diagnosis starting steps.
These can include an X-ray that can rule out any other wrist pain such as a crack or arthritis.
An electromyogram is performed to evaluate the arm and hand muscles strength,
A nerve transmission study that may shock the median nerve is also done accordingly.
Treatment
There are several techniques to treat carpal tunnel syndrome depending on the disorder severity.
Relaxing the arms, avoiding any strenuous physical activity and arms movements, with ice applying, are the therapy first steps for CTS mild signs.
If these do not provide relief in weeks, Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen provides temporary pain relief.
Corticosteroid injections can decrease the inflammation of the median nerve and have been found to be operative.
Surgery is the last alternative if the carpal tunnel symptoms are severe, extremely painful, and if there is no development after nonsurgical therapy.
Prevention
You can help reducing the carpal tunnel syndrome risk by maintaining a healthy body weight and managing appropriately disorders such as diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis that contribute to nerve damage and inflammation.
Avoid sleeping on your wrists and keep good posture, positioning, and grip in everyday duties to reduce wrist strain.
If you perform recurrent jobs at work or at home, take repeated breaks and change your hand positions.
When working at a computer, ensure you are using good posture and your wrists are not in a flexed position when you type.
Wrist stretching exercises may also be helful..
A Final Word
Living with carpal tunnel syndrome can be annoying.
It is never too late to discuss CTS symptoms with a specialist to prevent uneasiness and perpetual discomfort.