PLEASE CONSULT THE DOCTOR REGARDING ANY INJURIES FOR PROPER CARE.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Carpal tunnel syndrome is a common condition that affects the hands. It is named because there are "tunnels" formed by the ligaments in the palm of your hand (transverse carpal ligaments) and the wrist or carpal bones.  Through this tunnel, on its way to the hand, is a small but important nerve -- the median nerve. The median nerve is responsible for the movements of the thumb and the sensation in the thumb, index and middle fingers. when the channel through the tunnel gets too tight, the nerve is compressed causing the 'carpal tunnel syndrome'.

Who gets carpal tunnel syndrome?
Anyone.  This condition affects thousands of men and women, but is much more common in women. It usually affects your dominant hand.

How did I get carpal tunnel syndrome?
In many situations carpal tunnel syndrome occurs as a result of repeated hand motions that keep the wrist in a bent position or repeated forceful grasping with the hand. Some examples are writing, computer typing, driving, using vibrating power tools, playing the piano or knitting. Other conditions that may contribute is arthritis (particularly rheumatoid arthritis), diabetes, wrist injuries, menopause, pregnancy, and thyroid diseases. When the median nerve is compressed in the tunnel, a numbness and tingling sensation are present in the thumb, index finger, middle finger and half of the ring finger (the half that is on the thumb side of the ring finger). Symptoms are usually worse in the early morning and at night. Carpal tunnel syndrome can cause permanent nerve and muscle damage, although this is rare. Even with severe symptoms, however, treatment can result in permanent cure.

How do I know if I have carpal tunnel syndrome?
If you have numbness (especially the thumb, index and middle finger) and/or tingling in your hands, particularly after extended use of your hands or at night, you probably have carpal tunnel syndrome and should see a doctor.  

The doctor will usually perform the following tests:
1.  If by bending your wrist and hand downward for one minute reproduces your symptoms, you are likely to have carpal tunnel syndrome.

2.  Your doctor will tap over the median nerve at your wrist. If this causes tingling in your fingers, it is likely that you have compression of the medial nerve in the tunnel.

Ultimately the diagnosis is made with nerve conduction studies. For these tests, small electrodes are placed on the fingers and a tiny shock is administered. The speed that it travels through the median nerve is recorded. Patients with carpal tunnel syndrome have slowed nerve conduction because of the compression of the nerve in the tunnel.

How is carpal tunnel syndrome treated ?
The first treatment is to avoid the repetitive hand actions that are producing the symptoms in the first place. Often you will achieve relief if you just stop for the activity for a short period of time.

Next, your physician may suggest wearing a splint or brace that supports your hand and wrist for several weeks.

Also, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as aspirin, naproxen or ibuprofen can reduce the inflammation and relieve the pain and discomfort.

If there is a great deal of pain and discomfort, a steroid injection into the tunnel may be required to give you relief.

Finally, surgery may be required if there is no relief with using the other, more conservative forms of therapy. Most people that have surgical decompression of the median nerve will achieve complete relief of the symptoms.