If you’ve ever felt a tingling sensation or pain in your wrist that won’t go away, you might be dealing with a case of carpal tunnel syndrome.
Carpal tunnel syndrome occurs when the median nerve in your wrist gets compressed while passing through its canal-like structure, called the carpal tunnel. The median nerve provides feeling and motion to the thumb side of the hand (which includes the palm, thumb, and middle three fingers). If it is compressed or irritated, symptoms like pain or numbness can occur.
What Causes Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?
With the rise of computer usage in the digital age, there is a misconception that Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is only caused by typing for long periods of time. While it is true that people who work on computers all day are at an increased risk of developing the condition, there are other factors that also contribute to its development.
Frequent, repetitive overuse of your hands
- Repetitive small movements with your hands, like typing or grasping something, when your muscles don’t have the strength or endurance to keep up with it.
- Improper ergonomics or mechanics when doing a sport or activity. When either of these things is off, it can put extra strain on your wrists.
External factors
- Trauma or injury to the wrist, such as a fall, can also cause carpal tunnel syndrome by mechanical compression of the nerve due to swelling.
- Vibrating hand tools that apply a rapid, repetitive force against the median nerve can also cause strain on the wrists and lead to the condition.
Health problems
- Diabetes and hormonal imbalances, such as an overactive pituitary gland or hypothyroidism, can also increase the risk of carpal tunnel syndrome.
- Fluid retention during pregnancy or menopause can also add pressure on the median nerve and cause carpal tunnel syndrome.
- A tumor or cyst in the carpal tunnel
- Having a family history of carpal tunnel syndrome
It’s important to be aware of these risk factors so you can take steps to reduce the likelihood of developing carpal tunnel syndrome.
How Do You Know If You Have Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?
The most common symptoms of carpal tunnel include:
- Pain in the wrist, arm, and hand, frequent numbness and tingling of the fingers–especially the thumb, index, and middle fingers. There can also be a feeling that these fingers are “swollen” or even “useless” and weak. This feeling usually begins in the dominant hand.
- The need to “shake out” the wrists or hands due to pain or numbness.
- In chronic and/or untreated cases, the hypothenar muscles at the base of the thumb may weaken and shrink, a process known as atrophy. This can result in a loss of the ability to distinguish hot and cold by touch and may even cause the fingertips to burn without the person realizing it.
Can Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Be Cured?
Yes, carpal tunnel syndrome can be treated effectively with a little time and a thoughtful, multi-pronged approach. First, to evaluate your injury, Avid Sports Medicine uses ultrasound to examine the nerves in the wrist and look for signs of carpal tunnel. Then an initial treatment plan is developed which may include conservative, as well as minimally invasive methods that are tailored to the individual’s specific situation. These include:
Therapeutic exercise and physical therapy:
- Recommendations on how and when to rest from repetitive activities that may be causing the condition are also important.
- Bracing, such as wearing a splint at night, can also help to relieve pressure on the median nerve. In some cases, it may be necessary to wear a splint during both the day and night, depending on the severity of the condition.
- Improving ergonomics, and building strength to withstand activities that lead to carpal tunnel in a graduated, carefully designed program to prevent re-injury.
Shockwave therapy:
- Shockwave therapy or steroid injections/oral steroid packs may also be used to help reduce swelling and compression on the median nerve and wrist tendons. For more information on how shockwave therapy works to promote healing in the body fast and effectively, even for chronic conditions, check out our page linked above.
Surgical release
- In very severe cases of carpal tunnel syndrome, surgical release of the carpal tunnel by an Orthopaedic hand surgeon may be necessary when conservative treatments are not fully effective.
If you’re prone to carpal tunnel, it might be a good idea to have a maintenance plan of therapeutic exercise and stretching to keep it at bay; and if you’re someone who spends a lot of time at work, you may also want to consider getting an ergonomic evaluation to make sure your workspace is set up in a way that won’t put excessive strain on your wrists.
Take Action Now To Prevent Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Book an appointment with Avid Sports Medicine if you’re having hand or wrist issues. By working closely with one of our experienced sports medicine physicians, we can help relieve the pain that is affecting your daily activities. Schedule an appointment here to book a free consultation today, and get back to doing the things you love, faster.