LIFESTYLE NEWS - Carpal tunnel syndrome is the compression of the median nerve, the nerve that passes through your wrist.
The median nerve is located on the palm side of your hand (also called the carpal tunnel). It serves your thumb and first three fingers. Carpal tunnel syndrome can occur in one or both of your hands.
The pain in the carpal tunnel is caused by excess pressure in your wrist, which leads to inflammation. The most common cause of this inflammation is often an underlying medical condition that causes swelling in the wrist or obstructed blood flow. Some of the most frequent conditions linked with carpal tunnel syndrome are:
- Diabetes
- Thyroid dysfunction
- Fluid retention from pregnancy or menopause
- High blood pressure
- Autoimmune disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis
Carpal tunnel syndrome can be made worse if the wrist is over-extended repeatedly. Repeated motions of your wrist contribute to swelling and compression of the medial nerve. Problems include:
- Poor positioning of your wrists while using your keyboard or mouse
- Prolonged exposure to vibrations from using hand tools or power tools
- Any repeated movement that over-extends your wrist like playing the piano or typing
- Because carpal tunnel syndrome is a result of your medial nerve being compressed, the symptoms are usually found along the nerve path. Your hand may 'fall asleep' frequently and drop objects.
- Numbness, tingling, and pain in your thumb and first three fingers of your hand
- Pain and burning that travels up your arm
- Wrist pain at night that interferes with sleep
- Non-surgical treatment options
- Avoiding positions that over-extend your wrist
- Wrist splints that hold your hand in a neutral position, especially at night
- Mild pain medication and medications to reduce inflammation
- Treatment of any underlying conditions you may have such as diabetes or arthritis
- Steroid injections into your carpal tunnel area to reduce inflammation
Surgery may be necessary if there is severe damage to your median nerve. Although this surgical option is considered a last resort, the outcome is often very good.
Treating your carpal tunnel early with physical therapy and lifestyle changes can lead to significant long-term improvement and can eliminate symptoms. If left untreated however, carpal tunnel can lead to permanent nerve damage, disability, and loss of hand function.
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