Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is a medical situation in which the median nerve is pressed at the wrist resulting to pain, paresthesias and muscle weakness in the forearm and hand. It is more common in women than men and affects up to 10 percent of the population. It is caused by increasing the pressure on a nerve entering the hand through the enclosed space of the carpal tunnel. The sensations to the palm side of the thumb and fingers (although not the little finger) is controled by median nerve and it impulses some small muscles in the hand that allow the fingers and thumb to move. The narrow, rigid passageway of ligament and bones at the base of the hand ¾ houses the median nerve and tendons is carpal tunnel. Ocassionally, thickening of irritated tendons and other swelling narrows the tunnel and resulting the median nerve to be compressed.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is more common in the U.S. and is somewhat costly in terms of time lost from work and expensive medical cureness. According to The U.S. Department of Labor, reported that in 2003 the average number of missed days of work due to CTS was 23 days, costing over $2 billion a year. It is estimated that about 3.7 percent of the general public in this country suffer from CTS.
Carpus is a Greek word “karpos” which means “wrist.” The disease basically affects the thumb, index, and middle fingers and is sometimes troublesome at night. A major nerve, namely the median nerve, travels down the arm and enters the hand through the carpal tunnel. It is located in the central part of the wrist.
The carpal tunnel is besets by bone on one side, and an inflexible sheath on the other, so if pressure builds, the nerve has nowhere to go. In carpal tunnel syndrome the nerve gets squeezed. In carpal tunnel syndrome, the median nerve is pinched and the normal functions are injured. Problems that can occur in carpal tunnel syndrome include pain, numbness, tingling, weakness, and other problems typical of carpal tunnel syndrome.
Causes of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Common Causes of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome :
- Pressure on median nerve and fluid retention during pregnancy or menopause
- Alcoholism.
- Trauma or injury to the wrist
- Repetitive and forceful movements of the hand.
- Hypothyroidism or rheumatoid arthritis.
- Mechanical problems in the wrist joint or work stress.
- Incorrect sleeping position.
- Tendons in the carpal tunnel or overactivity of the pituitary gland.
Symptoms of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Some common Symptoms of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome :
- Tingling .
- Weakness .
- Numbness .
- Swelling of the wrist .
- Pain extending to the elbow.
Treatment of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome can be treated with following treatments :
- Alternative therapies like Acupuncture and chiropractic.
- Exercise Stretching and strengthening exercises under supervision of a physical therapist.
- It is divided in two types depending on condition, Open release surgery and Endoscopic surgery
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as aspirin, ibuprofen, and other nonprescription pain relievers. Other medicines can also be taken with the consult of doctor or physician like Corticosteroids.
- Rest.
Filed under: Diseases & Conditions