| Carpal
Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) |
| Carpal
Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) is a condition that causes a specific
pattern of pain, sensation changes and weakness in the hand. It
can be caused by overuse of the wrist and hand, inflammatory
conditions, weight gain, water retention during pregnancy, and
certain sports involving repetitive wrist/hand movements. |
| The
tendons attached to the muscles of the forearm and hand pass
beneath a fibrous sheath in the bony tunnel of the wrist. Nerves
controlling the hand muscles and are responsible for sensation
in the hand also pass in this tunnel.
When
the tendons get inflamed and swollen, or there is excessive
fluid in the tunnel, the nerves get pinched and cause weakness
and altered sensation in the hand.
Women
are more at risk than men. Often persons who do a lot of
keyboarding or gripping tools are susceptible. |
- Burning
in the hand and fingers.
- Tingling
and numbness in the hand and fingers.
- Pain
in the hand and fingers
- Weakness
when gripping objects
- Altered
hand sensation at night
- Wasting
of the thumb muscles.
|
| Often
to diagnose CTS, a doctor will order a nerve conduction test to
measure nerve function in the hand and determine whether the
nerve is pinched or not. |
- Ice
the wrist area for 10-15 minutes every few hours.
- Open
and close the hand while holding your hand above your head.
- Check
the ergonomics of your workstation and make modifications to
endure neutral wrist positions (such as using a wrist rest
while keyboarding). Often a professional assessment of the
workstation can help address risky postures.
- Your
doctor may prescribe anti-inflammatory medication.
-
Physiotherapy
can reduce inflammation and prescribe exercises in a proper
progression towards healing.
- For
a chronic CTS that does not respond to conservative
treatment, surgery may be required to relieve pressure on
the nerve by cutting a ligament at the wrist.
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