Causes | Symptoms | Treatment | Preventions

Carpel Tunnel Syndrome

Introduction to Carpel Tunnel Syndrome

Carpal tunnel syndrome is a common condition that causes pain, numbness, and tingling in the hand and arm. The condition occurs when one of the major nerves to the hand — the median nerve — is squeezed or compressed as it travels through the wrist.

Tingling, Numbness and pain in your first three fingers and thumb of your hand are common symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome.

The pain in your carpal tunnel is due to excess pressure in your wrist and on the median nerve. 

Carpal tunnel syndrome can be made worse if the wrist is overextended repeatedly.

Causes of Carpel Tunnel Syndrome

Women are actually 3 times more likely to have symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome.

Most often a result of a person's occupation. Activities requiring continual use of the hands. Repetitive motions using force. Prolonged flexion or extension of the wrist. gripping. Pressure over the palm. Trauma. Fractures. Vibration. Examples: data-entry, meat cutters, assembly,

construction workers, and musicians.

Symptoms of Carpel Tunnel Syndrome

Tingling or numbness in the fingers and hands, particularly the thumb, the index finger, and the middle finger.

Pain in the forearm, palm, or wrist. Increased numbness felt during the night compared to

the day time. In fact, the pain could be so intense, that it could wake you up. You may find yourself rubbing or shaking your hand in order to alleviate the pain.

Increased pain on using the wrist or hand more. Weakness in the thumb. Difficulty in gripping things.

Diagnosis of Carpel Tunnel Syndrome

Physical examination. Your doctor will conduct a physical examination. He or she will test the feeling in your fingers and the strength of the muscles in your hand.

X-ray. Some doctors recommend an X-ray of the affected wrist to exclude other causes of wrist pain, such as arthritis or a fracture.

Electromyogram. Electromyography measures the tiny electrical discharges produced in muscles. During this test, your doctor inserts a thin-needle electrode into specific muscles. The test evaluates the electrical activity of your muscles.

Nerve conduction study. In a variation of electromyography, two electrodes are taped to your skin. A small shock is passed through the median nerve to see if electrical impulses are slowed in the carpal tunnel. This test may be used to diagnose your condition and rule out other conditions.

Treatments of Carpel Tunnel Syndrome

Home treatment, such as changing or avoiding activities that may be causing symptoms and wearing a wrist splint.

Physical therapy or occupational therapy. This includes ultrasound, stretching, and range-of-motion exercises.

Medicines, such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to relieve pain and reduce inflammation. In some cases, oral corticosteroids or corticosteroid injections into the carpal tunnel may be considered.

Surgery. Surgery is sometimes recommended when other treatment hasn't helped, if you've had carpal tunnel syndrome for a long time, or if there is nerve damage or the risk of nerve damage.

Preventions of Carpel Tunnel Syndrome

If your job requires performing the same tasks over and over with your hands, try not bending, twisting or extending your hands for extended periods of time.

Avoid resting your wrists on surfaces that are hard for extended periods of time.

While working, see that your arms are not too far away or too close to your body.

While performing tasks, keep switching hands. Taking breaks regularly from repetitive hand

movements is a good way to give your wrists and hands time to rest.

Ensure that the tools you are using are not too large for your hands.

If you use the keyboard for extended periods of time, make sure to see that your forearms are at the same level as the keyboard, and that you do not need to flex your wrists in order to type.