Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Carpal tunnel syndrome is a common issue of the wrist that can make daily activities such as typing on a keyboard, lifting a cup, or writing a note difficult. Repeated use of the hand, or any condition that causes swelling and/or inflammation may lead to carpal tunnel symptoms.
The carpal tunnel is a narrow space created by the wrist (carpal) bones and a ligament known as the flexor retinaculum or transverse carpal ligament. Within this tunnel are the tendons of the forearm muscles and the median nerve. The forearm flexor muscles bend your wrist towards you, and are important muscles for grabbing or holding items. The median nerve controls muscles of the thumb and some of the fingers, as well as sensation to the thumb and fingers.
This condition is more common in women, assembly-line workers, individuals with diabetes,
and those who have experienced injury to the wrist.
Signs & Symptoms
Common signs and symptoms of carpal tunnel
syndrome include:
- Numbness, burning, and pain distributed through the thumb,
index, middle, and part of the ring finger. - Weakness through the hand, especially when gripping objects.
It is common to drop objects without realizing
with carpal tunnel syndrome.
Risk factors
Generally, this condition is more common in women, assembly-line workers, individuals with diabetes, and those who have experienced injury to the wrist.
Jobs that specifically require repetitive motions of the wrist and/or stress on the palm can predispose an individual to carpal tunnel syndrome. Desk-style jobs may put you at risk, but a proper ergonomic assessment can significantly reduce one’s risk factors.
Sports that impose a lot of stress on an individual’s hand through gripping or throwing also increase risk for carpal tunnel syndrome.
This can include racquet sports, baseball/softball, golf, rowing, rock climbing, etc.
Treatment
Therapy and rest can help you modify your work and sport activities. Treatment duration will differ from individual to individual. The first step of any overuse injury is to modify activities that are leading to the current condition. An ergonomic set-up/evaluation is vital if there are any predisposing factor leading to increases in stress of the elbow, wrist, or hand.
Equipment, training, and technique advice can also help you recover and avoid injury. You will also learn a home program for gradual strengthening and stretching of the wrist flexors. You may also be instructed to use a wrist brace or tape the arm.
FAQs
A full physical exam will your healthcare professional will aid in diagnosing this condition. Tinel’s sign, phalen’s test, and the carpal compression test are all designed to diagnosis carpal tunnel syndrome.
Surgical treatment is rarely the first line of defense, but if pain persists beyond conservative management, surgery can be an efficient option. Surgery is most often done as a carpal tunnel release as the surgeon will increase the size of the tunnel and reduce tension on the nerve by cutting a portion of the ligament that makes up the outer part of the carpal tunnel.
How can we help?
For more information, give us a call at 877-379-4911, or fill out the form fill below and one of our client success coordinators will reach out as soon as possible.