Last updated on : 15 Jul, 2024
Read time : 6 min
Carpal tunnel syndrome affects the hand and wrist, causing discomfort, numbness, tingling, and weakness. It occurs when the median nerve, which is located in the wrist, is subjected to increasing pressure. The thumb, index, and middle fingers, as well as half of the ring finger, are all supplied by this nerve. Typically, the tiny finger (the “pinky”) remains unaffected.
Carpal tunnel syndrome worsens over time in the majority of people, therefore it’s vital to get it diagnosed and treated as soon as possible. Simple steps like wearing a wrist splint or avoiding certain activities can frequently reduce symptoms early on.
However, if pressure on the median nerve persists, it might result in nerve injury and worsened symptoms. For some patients, surgery to relieve pressure on the median nerve may be needed to prevent lasting injury
CTS can have a detrimental influence on a person’s quality of life if they do not receive treatment. The median nerve can become severely injured over time, causing chronic numbness in the fingers and weakening in the muscles it innervates.
Carpal tunnel syndrome can cause a variety of symptoms, such as:
The symptoms usually appear gradually and without a specific injury. Many individuals experience symptoms that come and go at first. As the illness progresses, however, symptoms may appear more frequently or for longer periods.
Symptoms that occur at night are fairly prevalent. Symptoms may wake you up because many people sleep with their wrists bent. carpal tunnel syndrome signs commonly occur during the day when holding anything for a long time with the wrist bent forward or backward, such as when talking on the phone, driving, or reading a book.
Many patients report that shaking or moving their hands makes them feel better.
The carpal tunnel often referred to as the carpal canal, is a thin, stiff channel of bones and ligaments located near the base of the hand. Carpal tunnel also houses the median nerve and tendons.
Because the tendons become irritated and inflamed, or because additional swelling places pressure on the median nerve, the carpal tunnel can sometimes constrict.
The median nerve is responsible for sensations in the palm, thumb, and three additional fingers. The median nerve also controls the muscle that allows you to move your thumb across your palm to contact your little finger. The little finger has lost its ability to regulate itself.
Pain, numbness, and weakness in the hand and wrist can be caused by pressure on this nerve, which can spread up the arm and even to the shoulder. For ways to alleviate these symptoms, check out our article on hand pain relief home remedies.
For a variety of reasons, CTS can develop. However, if the person constantly employs extremes of wrist mobility, is exposed to vibration, and uses their fingers repeatedly, such as when typing, it is more likely. There isn’t always an obvious reason behind something.
The following are the most common reasons:
Carpal tunnel syndrome can be treated non-surgically or surgically. Both methods have advantages and disadvantages. Non-surgical therapies are typically used for less severe situations and allow you to go about your routine without interruption. Surgical therapies can help in more serious situations and have a high success rate.
Treatments that aren’t surgical are typically explored initially. Starting with:
Surgical procedures
When non-surgical therapy fails to relieve carpal tunnel syndrome or the condition has progressed to the point where surgery is required. The purpose of surgery is to increase the tunnel’s size to relieve pressure on the nerves and tendons that run through it. The ligament that covers the carpal tunnel at the base of the palm is sliced (released) to accomplish this. The transverse carpal ligament is the name of this ligament.
Have an outpatient surgery where you will be awake but anaesthetized locally (pain-numbing medication). An IV (straight into the vein) anaesthesia may be offered by your doctor in specific instances. This option allows you to take a short snooze before the treatment and then wake up after it’s over. This is not a surgical anaesthetic. Instead, during the surgery, your healthcare team will keep an eye on you (called monitored anaesthetic care, or MAC). A colonoscopy, for example, is performed using this technique.
For the first 24 to 72 hours after surgery, expect to be in some discomfort. Even the night after surgery, people frequently have complete nightly symptom alleviation.
Carpal tunnel syndrome is a difficult condition to avoid. Because there are so many various things in a person’s daily life that can trigger the illness, prevention can be difficult.
Other means of prevention include:
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Disclaimer
Our healthcare experts have carefully reviewed and compiled the information presented here to ensure accuracy and trustworthiness. It is important to note that this information serves as a general overview of the topic and is for informational purposes only. It is not intended to diagnose, prevent, or cure any health problem. This page does not establish a doctor-patient relationship, nor does it replace the advice or consultation of a registered medical practitioner. We recommend seeking guidance from your registered medical practitioner for any questions or concerns regarding your medical condition.
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