L i gh t a t t he End o f
CARPAL TUNNEL
You’re working at your desk, trying to ignore the tingling you’ve felt for months in
your hands and wrist. Suddenly, a sharp, piercing pain shoots through your wrist and
up your arm. Is it just a cramp?
What Causes Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS)?
The carpal tunnel, a narrow passageway of ligaments and bones of the hand, houses
the median nerve. This vital wrist nerve controls thumb and finger sensations,
and hand movements. When tendons in the carpal tunnel swell, the median nerve
compresses and causes carpal tunnel syndrome.
Many people develop CTS due to congenital predispositions. For instance, women
are three times more likely then men to have the condition because they have smaller carpal tunnels. Other contributing factors
include wrist trauma or injury that causes swelling; an overactive pituitary gland; hypothyroidism; rheumatoid arthritis;
diabetes; metabolic disorders; wrist problems; work stress; repeated use of vibrating hand tools; fluid retention; and cyst or
tumor development in nerve canals.
CTS symptoms
Symptoms of CTS include burning, tingling, itching and numbness in the
palm of the hand and fingers, especially the thumb, index and middle fingers.
Some carpal tunnel sufferers say their fingers feel useless and swollen.
Symptoms often appear at night, since people sleep with flexed wrists. As
CTS worsens, people experience tingling sensations during the day and
decreased grip strength. Some patients cannot tell the difference between
hot and cold. In chronic or untreated cases, muscles at the base of the thumb
waste away.
Treatment Options
Initial treatment involves resting affected hands and wrists for two
weeks, avoiding activities – such as typing – that worsens symptoms, and
immobilizing the wrist in a splint to prevent further damage. If further
inflammation occurs, reduce swelling with cool packs.
Medication:
Some medications ease CTS pain and swelling. Non-steroidal
anti-inflammatory drugs, such as aspirin and ibuprofen, diminish symptoms. Diuretics decrease swellings, and corticosteroids,
such as prednisone or lidocane, relieve median nerve pressure.
Exercise:
Hand and wrist stretching and strengthening exercises can decrease CTS pain. Try the following: Extend and stretch
both wrist and fingers as if doing a handstand. Hold for five seconds. Straighten and relax fingers. Make a tight fist with hands.
Bend wrists down, while keeping the fist. Hold for five seconds. Straighten both wrists and relax fingers for five seconds. Repeat
this exercise 10 times. Hang arms loosely at your side and shake them for a few seconds.
Surgery:
If symptoms last for six months, doctors may recommend carpal tunnel release. Surgery
involves severing the band of tissue around your wrist to reduce median nerve pressure. After the
procedure, a surgeon may prescribe a large dressing or wrist brace to help stabilize your wrist.
Patients usually wear a brace for two weeks post-op and then intermittently for several months.
Prevention Strategies
To avoid CTS, perform wrist and hand stretching exercises, and take frequent rest breaks when
working. If you suspect CTS, see a health care professional to receive proper treatment and guidance.
Resources:
The Pinecone
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November 2013 • 5 •
