Carpal tunnel syndrome is a condition in which there is excessive pressure on the median nerve. This is the nerve in the wrist that allows feeling and movement to parts of the hand. Carpal tunnel syndrome can lead to numbness, tingling, weakness, or muscle damage in the hand and fingers.
Prevention
Use tools and equipment that are properly designed to reduce the risk of wrist injury.
Ergonomic aids, such as split keyboards, keyboard trays, typing pads, and wrist braces, may be used to improve wrist posture during typing. Take frequent breaks when typing and always stop if you feel tingling or pain.
Risk Factors
If the condition is treated properly, there are usually no complications. If untreated, the nerve can be damaged, causing permanent weakness, numbness, and tingling.
Causes
The median nerve provides feeling and movement to the thumb side of the hand. This includes the palm, thumb, index finger, middle finger, and thumb side of the ring finger.
The area in your wrist where the nerve enters the hand is called the carpal tunnel. This tunnel is normally narrow. Any swelling can pinch the nerve and cause pain, numbness, tingling or weakness. This is called carpal tunnel syndrome.
Some people who develop carpal tunnel syndrome were born with a small carpal tunnel.
Carpal tunnel syndrome can also be caused by making the same hand and wrist motion over and over. Using hand tools that vibrate may also lead to carpal tunnel.
Studies have not proved that carpal tunnel is caused by typing on a computer, using a mouse, or repeating movements while working, playing a musical instrument, or playing sports. But, these activities may cause tendinitis or bursitis in the hand, which can narrow the carpel tunnel and lead to symptoms.
Carpal tunnel syndrome occurs most often in people ages 30 to 60. It is more common in women than men.
Other factors that may lead to carpal tunnel syndrome include:
- Alcohol use
- Bone fractures and arthritis of the wrist
- Cyst or tumor that grows in the wrist
- Infections
- Obesity
- If your body keeps extra fluids during pregnancy or menopause
- Rheumatoid arthritis
Symptoms
Symptoms may include any of the following:
- Clumsiness of the hand when gripping objects
- Numbness or tingling in the thumb and next two or three fingers of one or both hands
- Numbness or tingling of the palm of the hand
- Pain that extends to the elbow
- Pain in the wrist or hand in one or both hands
- Problems with fine finger movements (coordination) in one or both hands
- Wasting away of the muscle under the thumb (in advanced or long-term cases)
- Weak grip or difficulty carrying bags (a common complaint)
- Weakness in one or both hands
Diagnosis
During a physical exam, your health care provider may find:
- Numbness in the palm, thumb, index finger, middle finger, and thumb side of your ring finger
- Weak hand grip
- Tapping over the median nerve at your wrist may cause pain to shoot from your wrist to your hand (this is called the Tinel sign)
- Bending your wrist forward all the way for 60 seconds will usually result in numbness, tingling, or weakness (this is called the Phalen test)
Tests that may be ordered include:
- Wrist x-rays to rule out other problems, such as arthritis in your wrist
- Electromyography (EMG, a test to check muscles and the nerves that control them)
- Nerve conduction velocity (a test to see how fast electrical signals move through a nerve)
Treatment
Your provider may suggest the following:
- Wearing a splint at night for several weeks. If this does not help, you may need to wear the splint during the day, as well
- Avoid sleeping on your wrists
- Placing warm and cold compresses on the affected area
Changes you can make in your workplace to reduce the stress on your wrist include:
- Using special devices, such as keyboards, different types of computer mouse, cushioned mouse pads, and keyboard drawers
- Having someone review the position you are in when performing your work activities. For example, make sure the keyboard is low enough so that your wrists are not bent upward while typing. Your provider may suggest an occupational therapist
- You may also need to make changes in your work duties or home and sports activities. Some of the jobs linked with carpal tunnel syndrome include those that involve vibrating tools
Medicines
- Medicines used to treat carpal tunnel syndrome include nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen or naproxen
Surgery
- Carpal tunnel release is a surgical procedure that cuts into the ligament that is pressing on the nerve
- Surgery is successful most of the time, but it depends on how long you’ve had the nerve compression and its severity
Recovery
Symptoms often improve without surgery. But more than half of cases eventually need surgery. Even if surgery is successful, full healing can take months.
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