- The carpal tunnel is a narrow canal or tube in the wrist. Similarly to a tunnel you could travel through by car, this part of the wrist allows the median nerve and tendons to connect the hand and forearm.
The parts of this tunnel include:
- Carpal bones: These bones make up the bottom and sides of the tunnel. They are shaped like a semicircle.
- Ligament: The ligament is a strong tissue that holds the tunnel together at the top.
- The median nerve: It provides sensation to the majority of the fingers on the hand (expect the little finger). It also strengthens the thumb and index finger bases.
- Tendons: Tendons are rope-like structures that connect muscles in the forearm to bones in the hand. They make it possible for the fingers and thumb to bend.
What is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?
- Carpal tunnel syndrome is a common condition that causes pain, numbness, tingling, and weakness in the hand and wrist and requires chronic pain management. The median nerve is compressed as it passes through the carpal tunnel, resulting in carpal tunnel syndrome. The median nerve sends sensory and motor signals to the thumb and three middle fingers. You may experience symptoms if it becomes compressed or irritated.
Is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Limited To Office or Factory Workers?
- No. Many people who have carpal tunnel syndrome have never worked in an office or in an assembly line. It may be the result of play or work and requires sports injury management. Carpal tunnel syndrome can affect anyone, but it is uncommon before the age of 20. The likelihood of developing carpal tunnel syndrome increases with age.
What Causes Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?
- The majority of cases of carpal tunnel syndrome have no identifiable cause, but any or all of the following may contribute:
- Frequent, repetitive, and small hand movements (such as with typing or using a keyboard).
- Frequent, repetitive hand-grasping actions (such as with sports and certain physical activities).
- Joint or bone illness (for example, arthritis, osteoarthritis, or rheumatoid arthritis) requiring Joint and Musculoskeletal Imaging.
- Hormonal or metabolic modifications (for example, menopause, pregnancy, or thyroid imbalance).
- Changes in blood sugar levels (may be seen with type 2 diabetes)
- Other wrist conditions and sports injuries (for example, strain, sprain, dislocation, break, or swelling and inflammation) require sports injury management.
- A history of carpal tunnel syndrome in the family.
How Often Is Hand Pain Caused by Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?
Although carpal tunnel syndrome is a common condition, its symptoms differ from those of many other causes of hand pain. There are a number of conditions that can cause hand pain. These consist of:
- De Quervain’s tendinosis: A condition where swelling (inflammation) affects the wrist and base of the thumb and calls for immediate chronic pain management. In this condition, you will feel pain when you make a fist and simulate shaking someone’s hand. You are advised to take a glance at Chronic Pain Syndrome Overview.
- Trigger finger: This condition causes soreness at the base of the finger or thumb. Trigger finger also causes pain, locking (or catching) and stiffness when bending the fingers and thumb.
- Arthritis: This is a general term for many conditions that cause stiffness and swelling in your joints and requires Joint and Musculoskeletal Imaging. Arthritis can impact many joints in your body and ranges from causing small amounts of discomfort to breaking down the joint over time (osteoarthritis is one type of degenerative arthritis).
How Is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Diagnosed? Let’s Hear From Dr. Gaurav Kant.
JIPSI medical experts will first examine you and discuss your symptoms and medical history. Following this, tests are conducted, which may include:- Tinel's sign: During this test, the physician taps the median nerve at the wrist to determine if it causes tingling in the fingers.
- Further, the patient rests his or her elbows on a table and allows his or her wrist to fall forward freely. Individuals with carpal tunnel syndrome will experience numbness and tingling in the fingers within 60 seconds. The severity of carpal tunnel syndrome is proportional to how quickly symptoms manifest.
- X-rays or Joint/ Musculoskeletal Imaging: X-rays of the wrist may be ordered if there is limited wrist motion, evidence of arthritis or trauma, or if there is evidence of a fracture.
- Electromyography (EMG) and nerve conduction studies: These tests determine how well the median nerve controls muscle movement and how well it functions.
Dr. Kant - Your Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Expert
- A well-qualified Musculoskeletal Radiology consultant with rich & progressive domestic and international experience in practising Medicine and Radiology.
- Expertise in delivering high quality diagnostic Imaging & MSK Interventional/Pain management service while ensuring clinical safety, thereby facilitating high standard of patient care with particular attention to patient and radiation safety.
- Treated 1000+ patients suffering from Carpal Tunnel Syndrome with promising results to recover the ailment.
How Can You Prevent Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?
- Carpal tunnel syndrome can be difficult to prevent. Modifications to the workstation, such as proper seating and hand and wrist placement, can reduce a number of risk factors for carpal tunnel syndrome.
- Additional preventive measures include:
- Straightening one's wrists while sleeping.
- When using tools, maintain a straight wrist position.
- Avoid repeatedly flexing (curling) and extending your wrists.
- Reducing repetitive or forceful grasping with the wrist flexed.
- Utilising frequent rest breaks during repetitive tasks.
- Perform conditioning and stretching exercises prior to and following physical activities.
- Monitoring and treating medical conditions associated with carpal tunnel syndrome appropriately.
