How to Fight Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?

Answer 1

Carpal tunnel syndrome is commonly thought of as being a condition caused by repetitive and excessive movement involving the arms, wrists, and hands. However, many cases of carpal tunnel syndrome have been found in certain individuals without a cause who may be genetically predisposed to this condition.

This condition occurs when the median nerve that relays the sensations from the hand and fingers becomes pinched/compressed, as it travels through the carpal tunnel, by the swelling of tendons in the wrist and leads to pain and paresthesias of the hand and fingers.

Some symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome:

• Fingers fall asleep and become numb during the night

• Wake up with numbness and tingling in hands

• Burning pain, numbness, and sometimes runs up the center of forearm

• Symptoms begin to show up during the daytime

When this happens, it slows down the nerve impulses transmitted and may cause muscle weakness of the thumb and a loss of feeling in the hand and fingers. If left untreated, it may result in a serious deterioration regarding the function of the hand.

Some common conditions that can lead to carpal tunnel syndrome include:

• Enaging in repetitive work such as using a computer or typing all day

• Trauma

• Hypothyroidism

• Arthritis

• Diabetes

• Obesity

• Pregnancy

• Genetic predisposition

Nerve conduction studies, such as an electromyogram, determine the severity of the problem. The Tinel, Phalen and Durkan test/maneuvers are used in diagnosing CTS.

Treatments include:

• Changing the frequency and the amount of time a person is involved in a repetitive action

• Changing the amount of rest between periods of the repetitive action.

• Immobilizing the wrist in a split to minimize/prevent compression of the nerves

• A short course of anti-inflammatory drugs or injections of steroids can reduce the swelling in the wrists.

• Stretching exercises

• Ultrasound treatment

• Physiotherapy and occupational therapy

• If conservative treatment is not effective, then surgery should be considered.

A study done in 2007 by the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery at Massachusetts General Hospital states that carpal tunnel syndrome is primarily determined by genetics and structure.