A disorder that is caused from the compression or swelling in the median nerve of the wrist, carpal tunnel syndrome cause tingling, numbness and pain. These symptoms are often felt in the palm of the hand, thumb and first three fingers. It is a gradually developing disorder and the cause is not fully understood. Carpal tunnel syndrome has been linked to diabetes, arthritis, bone enlargement, reduced thyroid function, pregnancy, uremia, tendon inflammation and amyloidosis.
This disorder is often found in assembly line workers, writers, data entry workers, carpenters, and anyone else who either use vibrating machinery or use their wrists in a repetitive manner. Those who spend a lot of time on hobbies that affect the wrists like knitting, gardening and rowing may also see an increase in this problem. If you start to feel a tingling, numbness or pain in your hand, fingers and wrist, you may want to see your doctor. The exam will check for inflammation and your range of movement for your wrist. There are a few tests your doctor can do. Phalen's test attempts to recreate the symptoms by flexing your wrists.
Tinel's test checks for sensitivity of the median nerve. Your doctor will most likely prescribe anti-inflammatories in the case of swelling around the nerve. There is little evidence whether or not these are effective for carpal tunnel syndrome, but some patients have reported feeling some relief when using them. Another common treatment your doctor will recommend is a wrist brace. You can get these in the pharmacy area of most stores.
The doctor may also prescribe the use of a wrist brace which you can buy at the pharmacy. The brace keeps the wrist in a neutral position which can help relieve pressure on the median nerve. Some doctors may also try corticosteroid injections to help relieve pain. These two treatments usually work well for those at the onset of the disorder.
In the event of a severe case of carpal tunnel syndrome, surgery may be required. If other treatments fail to work then surgery is usually the last option. An incision is made in the palm and wrist to cut the ligament that runs over the median nerve. Cutting this ligament helps to relieve pressure on the nerve. If no permanent damage has been done to the nerve then this can help relieve symptoms.
This usually relieves the problem unless there has been permanent damage done to the nerve. Recovery takes several weeks before the patient can return to light duty at work. By six weeks, they can return to normal duty. This surgery is usually done on an outpatient basis with a local anesthetic.
An alternative to surgery is often physical therapy. The therapy involves exercises that are taught to you by a physical therapist. You do the exercises at home between sessions. These exercises can be a very effective treatment and alternative to surgery.
This disorder is often found in assembly line workers, writers, data entry workers, carpenters, and anyone else who either use vibrating machinery or use their wrists in a repetitive manner. Those who spend a lot of time on hobbies that affect the wrists like knitting, gardening and rowing may also see an increase in this problem. If you start to feel a tingling, numbness or pain in your hand, fingers and wrist, you may want to see your doctor. The exam will check for inflammation and your range of movement for your wrist. There are a few tests your doctor can do. Phalen's test attempts to recreate the symptoms by flexing your wrists.
Tinel's test checks for sensitivity of the median nerve. Your doctor will most likely prescribe anti-inflammatories in the case of swelling around the nerve. There is little evidence whether or not these are effective for carpal tunnel syndrome, but some patients have reported feeling some relief when using them. Another common treatment your doctor will recommend is a wrist brace. You can get these in the pharmacy area of most stores.
The doctor may also prescribe the use of a wrist brace which you can buy at the pharmacy. The brace keeps the wrist in a neutral position which can help relieve pressure on the median nerve. Some doctors may also try corticosteroid injections to help relieve pain. These two treatments usually work well for those at the onset of the disorder.
In the event of a severe case of carpal tunnel syndrome, surgery may be required. If other treatments fail to work then surgery is usually the last option. An incision is made in the palm and wrist to cut the ligament that runs over the median nerve. Cutting this ligament helps to relieve pressure on the nerve. If no permanent damage has been done to the nerve then this can help relieve symptoms.
This usually relieves the problem unless there has been permanent damage done to the nerve. Recovery takes several weeks before the patient can return to light duty at work. By six weeks, they can return to normal duty. This surgery is usually done on an outpatient basis with a local anesthetic.
An alternative to surgery is often physical therapy. The therapy involves exercises that are taught to you by a physical therapist. You do the exercises at home between sessions. These exercises can be a very effective treatment and alternative to surgery.
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People who develop carpal tunnel syndrome usually notice the symptoms gradually. starts with burning, tingling or itching numbness in the palm of the hand and fingers, especially the thumb, index and middle fingers.If you begin to notice these symptoms, take action right away, as CTS will progress unless habits are changed. Check this link easy carpal tunnel exercises that will help ease the pain of CTS.
