Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

“According to a report, Carpel Tunnel Syndrome affects 1-5% of adults. However, treatment options exist from wrist splints, and physiotherapy USG-guided nerve release to surgical intervention in severe cases. The most important aspect of effective management of the disease is early diagnosis.” – Medicine Plus

What is Carpal tunnel syndrome?

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) is a condition in which the median nerve in the carpal tunnel of your wrist is compressed. This includes the nerves that run sensations and movement in the hands including your thumb and first three fingers. The symptoms of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome pain include hand and wrist numbness, tingling, and pain, especially with repetitive hand movements. Pain may stretch and involve the arm, and can keep you from typing or reaching for something.

Getting in touch with expert doctors at Axis Clinics can help you eliminate this pain in the initial stage. So, do not delay, and book an appointment now!

What are the 5 symptoms of carpal tunnel? Symptoms of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Carpal tunnel syndrome leads to numerous uncomfortable situations. Recognizing these symptoms early can result in faster recovery and healing. Here are the key signs and symptoms of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome:

Numbness: Sensations of numbness in the wrist, hand, or finger, including the fingertips.
Pain: Mild or severe discomfort in the wrist, hand, or fingers.
Tingling: An often described tingling sensation such as ‘pins and needles’.
Weakness: The inability to grip, grip, or control objects, such as a phone or pen.
Night Symptoms: The symptoms usually worsen at night and make it hard to sleep if the pain or tingling is bad enough.
Gradual Onset: The slow onset of symptoms always begins with minor discomfort, which may advance over time.
Clumsiness: Feelings of indecision or decreased dexterity that make accurate tasks difficult.

What are the main causes of Carpal tunnel syndrome?

This is a result of pressure that is exerted on the nerve that flows from the forearm to the wrist’s carpal tunnel to the hand, that is called carpel tunnel syndrome or CTS. This nerve is vital for the sensation of the palm side of the thumb and fingers (excluding the little finger) as well as the muscle of the thumb’s base. CTS develops when the median nerve within that confined space is squeezed or irritated by multiple factors. One of the most common causes is wrist fractures that narrow the carpal tunnel and add pressure to the nerve.

Conditions that can cause nerve compression include swelling and inflammation from rheumatoid arthritis or some other inflammatory disease like hypothyroidism. Although there can often be no clear single determining factor in the development of CTS, even multiple risk factors can contribute. Finally, to prevent and treat this condition successfully, it is important to know as many of the possible causes.

Here are some common activities that can trigger Carpal Tunnel Syndrome pain:

Repetitive Hand Movements: Typing too often or using a mouse too much can harm wrist tendons.
Prolonged Gripping: Extended holding of tools or other objects increases wrist pressure in the hand.
Awkward Wrist Positions: Activities involving a wrist bent or twisted will compress nerves.
Use of Vibrating Tools: Vibrations that occur, for instance, from using power drills and other tools can cause symptoms.

What are the risk factors for carpal tunnel syndrome? CTS Risk Factors

While anyone can develop carpal tunnel syndrome, there are several factors you can fall into which increase your risk of contracting carpal tunnel syndrome. People who do repetitive motions in their hands and wrists are at greater risk, for example construction workers swinging hammers, and keyboard jockeys typing for hours on end. Drills, jackhammers and other vibrating power tools increase risk even more.

Fluid retention in the body and pressure on the carpal tunnel can be caused by hormonal changes as well. They say you are at higher risk if you’re a woman giving birth and over age 40. There is a genetic component involved as well and you’re more at risk if one member of your family has a history of CTS.

In addition, illnesses such as rheumatoid arthritis, gout, hypothyroidism, diabetes, obesity, and amyloidosis increase the likelihood of CTS. Understanding these risk factors may help understand the healing process.

How do they diagnose carpal tunnel syndrome? Diagnosis of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

While diagnosing, your carpal tunnel syndrome doctor will ask you questions about your symptoms. You also may need one or more tests to find out whether you have carpal tunnel syndrome.

History of symptoms
Physical examination
X-ray
Ultrasound
Electromyography

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Treatment

Treating carpal tunnel syndrome depends mainly on the severity of the syndrome. It is also affected based on whether you have nerve damage or not. So, if your case is mild to moderate, you can try the following treatment for at least one to two weeks. First, give proper rest to your wrist. Try to avoid activities that increase the pain or numbness. You can also go for a wrist splint, as it will reduce pressure on your nerves. Taking medication like aspirin or ibuprofen will help to reduce swelling and pain.

You can also use an ice pack to get relief. Your doctor can also suggest physical therapy. Besides, this occupation therapy also works as you will learn to move your wrist and hand in different ways to avoid pain. Include some stretching and strengthening exercises in your routine as well. If the pain becomes too much to tolerate, you can get some corticosteroid injections to reduce inflammation.

USG-guided hydrodilation of the entrapped median nerve shows excellent results in moderate carpal Tunnel syndromes. In severe cases surgical release and decompression is a better option.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Recovery and Rehabilitation

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) recovery focuses on relieving symptoms, restoring function, and preventing recurrence.

Steps for Recovery and Rehabilitation:

Rest your wrist and avoid repetitive motions.
Use a wrist splint, especially during sleep, to keep the wrist in a neutral position.
Over-the-counter medications like ibuprofen reduce inflammation.
Corticosteroid injections may be prescribed for severe cases.
Perform wrist flexor and extensor stretches to improve flexibility.
Use stress balls or resistance bands to build grip strength.
Perform exercises to encourage healthy nerve movement.
Maintain proper wrist alignment during work.
Take frequent breaks from repetitive tasks.

Post-Surgery Rehabilitation (if applicable):

Follow your surgeon’s guidelines for wound care and therapy.
Engage in physical therapy to regain mobility and strength.

Please note, that a few lifestyle changes can also help you heal faster.

Manage conditions like diabetes or arthritis.
Maintain a healthy weight and eat an anti-inflammatory diet.

How can carpal tunnel be prevented? CTS Prevention Tips

To prevent CTS, there are ergonomic adjustments that need to be made, and good habits are adopted. Here are some effective prevention tips:

Maintain Good Posture: While typing or using a mouse, keep your back straight and your wrists straight.
Take Breaks: Stop, get up, walk around, and stretch now and again.
Wear braces or wrist splints: By keeping the wrist in a neutral posture, wrist braces or splints can help alleviate the early symptoms of CTS and stop the condition from getting worse.
Practice Hand Exercises: Specific exercises will make your hands and wrists strong.
Limit Repetitive Motions: To lessen wrist strain, change up your wrist-related activities.

When to See a Doctor?

Tingling, numbness, and aches in your hand or wrist can be a sign of carpal tunnel syndrome. Immediately consult experts at Axis Clinics in case you are experiencing signs. If those symptoms do not ease off on their very own in a few weeks and are affecting your day-to-day existence, book an appointment now.

You should also speak to a carpal tunnel syndrome doctor if you feel a muscle is a weak point or you can not grip gadgets. You can keep away from everlasting nerve harm and get a full recovery in case you are diagnosed and handled early.

Conclusion

A thorough evaluation of symptoms, physical examinations; and diagnostic tests are critical to effective treatment. This condition may be treated conservatively with splinting and physical therapy, or surgically if the condition is severe. Prevention of long-term complications and restoration of hand function can be achieved by early intervention.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the severity of carpal tunnel syndrome?

Symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome can be slight and uncomfortable to excessive, and the affected person is unable to apply their fingers. It can completely harm the nerves that control hand function and impact life if not dealt with.

How quickly can someone heal from carpal tunnel syndrome?

Rest, icing, use of wrist splints, and anti-inflammatory medications are the generally fastest means of recovery from carpal tunnel syndrome. Physical therapy helps with recovery, this speeds up the recovery process and minimizes the symptoms.

Which workouts are best avoided if you have carpal tunnel syndrome?

Planks, push-ups, mountain climbers, burpees, snatches, and overhead squats are examples of common workouts that may exacerbate the symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome.