Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: An Overview
Michael Jason
What is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?
There are 8 bones in our wrists called carpals. They form a
tunnel like structure. That is how carpal tunnel got its name.
Finger movements are controlled by flexor tendons, which are
found within this tunnel. The median nerve reaches sensory
cells in the hand, through this pathway of tunnel.
Carpal tunnel syndrome is a painful and progressive condition
that occurs in the wrist. It is caused by the compression of
the median nerve in the wrist. The median nerve runs into the
hand starting from the forearm. When it becomes squeezed or
pressed at the wrist, its message carrying and receiving
ability from the brain gets inhibited. It is not necessary that
the whole median nerve be pressed to cause carpal tunnel
syndrome. The syndrome is caused when a point on the nerve is
pressed. As a result of this compression the nerve does not
function properly and causes carpal tunnel syndrome.
1 out of every 100 people is affected by carpal tunnel syndrome
at some point in their life. It is commonly caused in the women
of the age group of 30-50 years. Carpal tunnel syndrome is also
known as Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI). Carpal tunnel syndrome
is inclusive of the (RSI) related soft tissue injuries.
What Causes Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?
Though there are various possibilities behind the cause of
carpal tunnel syndrome, the basic cause is the compression of
tunnel walls. As the tunnel walls compress, they put pressure
on the median nerve. As the median nerve gets stressed, it
causes carpal tunnel syndrome.
Congenital predisposition is also a cause of carpal tunnel
disorder. In a majority of cases the carpal tunnel is smaller
than the normal, which causes the median nerve to stress.
The syndrome can develop quickly, if the wrist has been
fractured or injured. Rheumatoid Arthritis is also a cause of
carpal tunnel syndrome.
In some cases repetitive stress induced carpal tunnel strain
causes this syndrome. If a person’s occupation involves,
gripping, typing or digging, the hand gets strained and it
directly strains the median nerve.
Repetitive wrist and hand action results in the injury and
swelling of the subcutaneous tissues. These tissues include
muscle, ligament, fascia, sheaths, tendon, blood vessels and
peripheral and retinaculum nerve. Due to the small and
restricted passage of the tunnel, these swollen tissues can
compress together and create concentrated pressure.
Carpal tunnel syndrome can also be caused due to some trauma
based incidents. These causes include fracture or injury of the
wrist or one of the arm bones. Internal hemorrhaging in the
wrist leads to formation of hematoma which causes the syndrome.
If any one of the carpal bones of the wrist gets dislocated, it
leads to carpal syndrome. Obesity is another common cause of
carpal tunnel syndrome. Women who take contraceptive pills can
also go on to develop this condition.
Symptoms of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
The early symptoms include tingling, numbness and burning in
the thumb and the index and middle fingers. People suffering
from this syndrome, find it hard to grip things, or make a
fist. The symptom grows to a severe pain in the hand and
restricts the movement of the hand at all. A person gradually
loses his ability to squeeze things. They may even find it very
hard to tie their shoe laces and picking things up becomes a
challenge.
In the worst cases of carpal tunnel syndrome, the patients are
unable to differentiate between hot and cold things by touch.
Who is at Risk?
People who are involved in assembly line work are at the
maximum risk of developing carpal tunnel syndrome. However it
can also develop in the people who are constantly related to
any of the following activities or professions:
Video games
Computer keyboard typing or typewriter typing
Musical instruments
Driving a vehicle
Surgeons and Dentists
People involved in exhaustive activity of hands like drilling,
digging.
Treatment Available.
Avoiding repetitive and exhaustive activities related to hand
movement, is the first instruction for someone suffering with
carpal tunnel syndrome. The patient must abstain from such
activities in order to give relief to their hand and free the
median nerve of pressure.
Stretching exercises also helps in treating the syndrome as
exercising helps in maintaining blood flow normal in the
nerves.
Medicines like corticosteroid and prescription based NSAID’s
can help in relieving the syndrome. If the condition gets
worse, there is the option of surgery.
You should consult your doctor immediately if you feel you may
be suffering with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.
About The Author: Michael Jason writes articles on a number of
different topics. For more information on Carpal Tunnel
Syndrome please visit http://www.carpal-tunnel-syndrome.org/
and for additional Carpal Tunnel Syndrome related articles
please visit the following article page
http://www.carpal-tunnel-syndrome.org/carpaltunnel-articles/
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