Carpal Tunnel Syndrome - Symptoms & Treatment

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is a form of repetitive stress injury, is the most common nerve entrapment syndrome. The median nerve controls sensations to the palm side of the thumb and fingers. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is a disease of hand and wrist. Carpal tunnel is produced by the tissues and bones of the wrist. CTS is more common in women than it is in men, and has a peak incidence around age 50. Most likely the disorder is due to a congenital predisposition - the carpal tunnel is simply smaller in some people than in others The carpal tunnel - a narrow, rigid passageway of ligament and bones at the base of the hand ¾ houses the median nerve and tendons.

Symptoms of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

There are many symptoms of Carpal tunnel syndrome these are :

• Pain radiating from wrist to shoulder and front side of your forearm is mostly affected.
• Weakness in the affected area.
• Numbness in the affected area and tingling in fingers, thumb and hand.
• When a patient drive a vehicle and hold anything, numbness like sensation may be occurred.
• Continued use of the affected wrist may increase tendon inflammation, compression, and neural ischemia, causing a decrease in wrist function.
• Untreated, carpal tunnel syndrome can produce permanent nerve damage with loss of movement and sensation.

Causes of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Most cases of Carpal tunnel syndrome(CTS) are idiopathic.Pressure on the median nerve is the main cause of carpal tunnel syndrome. Carpal tunnel syndrome is mostly idiopathic, or it may result from:

• repetitive stress injury
• rheumatoid arthritis
• flexor tenosynovitis (commonly associated with rheumatic disease)
• nerve compression
• pregnancy
• multiple myeloma
• diabetes mellitus
• acromegaly
• hypothyroidism
• amyloidosis
• obesity
• benign tumor
• other conditions that increase fluid pressure in the wrist, including alterations in the endocrine or immune systems
• wrist dislocation or sprain, including Colles' fracture followed by edema.

Treatment of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Initial treatment generally involves resting the affected hand and wrist for at least 2 weeks, avoiding activities that may worsen symptoms, and immobilizing the wrist in a splint to avoid further damage from twisting or bend. treatments can be generally divided intobasic categories.

• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are very effective and safe to reduce the inflammation.
• in case of severe symptoms of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome surgery may be good and effective option preferred by the doctor.
• Administer mild analgesics as needed. Encourage the patient to use her hands as much as possible. If her dominant hand has been impaired, you may have to help her with eating and bathing.
• Corticosteroids may help to relieve your pain. It can decrease pain, inflammation and swelling. Oral corticosteroids are not preferred by the doctor.
• Importance of wrist braces and splints in the carpal tunnel syndrome therapy is unknown for many people

Prevention tips

• You should reduce your force to perform any activities.
• Prop up your arm with pillows when you lie down.
• Avoid using your hand too much.
• Find a new way to use your hand by using a different tool.
• Try to use the other hand more often.
• Avoid bending your wrists down for long periods.
• You should avoid bending your wrist.
• You should avoid cold environment and keep the affected area warm.
• You should improve your posture; incorrect posture can affect the fingers, wrists and hands.
• You should avoid sleeping on the hand and wearing wrist splint before going to the bed.