CARPAL TUNNEL SYNDROME
Carpal tunnel syndrome is a very common health problem especially
in women. today we are going to try to discuss every aspect of carpal
tunnel syndrome.
We are going to provide you with best Health
Tips related to pain in the hand, palm, fingers.
In this Medical Article we
will explain why you feel abnormal sensations like tingling
and numbness in your in wrist, palm, and fingers.
CONTENTS
What is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome 1.What is Carpal Tunnel
2.How Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Occurs?
3.Who is affected by Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?
4.Origin of abnormal sensations in Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
5.Diagnosis of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
6.Possible Treatment for
carpal tunnel syndrome
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What is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Generally, carpal tunnel syndrome starts with tingling and numbness in thumb, index, middle and half of the ring finger during everyday activities such as driving or talking on the phone.
This can progress to feelings of swelling, aching, cramping and grip weakness. Symptoms will usually be activity dependent but can be worse at night or early mornings.
Commonly affected people
will wake during night with symptoms and have to shake their hand to obtain
relief.
1.What is Carpal Tunnel
The carpal tunnel in the wrist is formed by bones and ligaments on the palm side of your hand.
This allow structure such as tendons and the median nerve to travel through this space to get from the forearm into the hand.
In
total ten structures passes through this tunnel and as we move our fingers and
wrist they slide and glide, lengthen and shorten allowing us to move our hand.
2.How Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Occurs?
Most of the time carpal tunnel syndrome happens spontaneously and can affect everyone differently.
It occurs from an increase in pressure or a decrease in space of carpal tunnel which places pressure on the median nerve.
When a nerve is placed under compression it can alter the transmission of
impulses in that nerve, leading to altered sensation acutely and weakness in
the long term.
3.Who is affected by Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?
Factors such as age, gender and structure of the wrist can have an effect on someones chance of acquiring carpal tunnel syndrome.
This is frequently seen in middle-aged females but can affect people of any age or gender.
Other factors such as manual work demands of the hands and wrist
vibration, cold, pregnancy, diabetes and smoking have also been associated with
carpal tunnel syndrome.
4.Origin of abnormal sensations in Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
It is important to know that your symptoms may not be coming from the carpal tunnel they could be arising from compression of a section along the path of a median nerve in the arm or neck.
Your physiotherapist can help with
distinguishing the origin of these symptoms. Determining the cause and
contributing factors is important to the management of carpal tunnel syndrome.
5.Diagnosis of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Your physiotherapist will diagnose carpal tunnel syndrome based on your patient interview and use tests such as Phalen's or two nails that examine the role of carpal tunnel in relation to your symptoms.
They will also examine your
neck upper back and the mobility of your nerves and may also use specific
questionnaires that can aid determining your current functional level.
Phalen’ s Maneuver
It is a diagnostic test for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.
a. Procedure
The patient is asked to hold their wrist in complete and forced flexion (pushing
the dorsal surfaces of the hands together) for 30 to 60 seconds.
b. Results
In doing so, pressure in the carpal tunnel is increased , which results
in the compression of median nerve.
The compressed median nerve results in the appearance of symptoms
of burning, tingling and numbness in the thumb, index, middle and
half of the ring finger.
This means positive Phalen’s maneuver and suggests carpal tunnel
Syndrome.
6.Possible Treatment for carpal tunnel syndrome
1) Physiotherapy
Physiotherapy is beneficial for most of the carpal tunnel sufferers especially in mild to moderate cases.
Your Physiotherapist will work with you to educate around self management including activity modification, awareness around aggravating positions and relative rest.
Splinting is an inexpensive way
of controlling movement at the wrist, it can be particularly helpful for night
time waking by keeping the wrist in the neutral position while you sleep.
Exercise and manual therapy can focus on the sliding and gliding
of the median nerve and tendons that pass through the carpal tunnel.
Increase the range of motion at the wrist and find muscle control
of the hand to ensure that you have the best strength and movement possible out
of your hands.
2) Drugs used to treat carpal tunnel syndrome
a) Non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID)
NSAIDs are generally the first choice for the treatment of carpal tunnel
syndrome followed by more aggressive options if symptoms do not get improve.
b) Corticosteroids injections
Corticosteroids injections are effective for temporary relief of pain and other symptoms. These steroids help to the median nerve swelling and give the patient relief from the symptoms.
But, this treatment is not appropriate for
long periods as there are many side effects associated with the use of steroids.
3) Surgery
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