Carpal Tunnel Syndrome – Commonly Asked Questions and Answers

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome – Commonly Asked Questions and Answers

Carpal tunnel syndrome is a painful condition. Some commonly asked questions and answers about this syndrome will help you learn more about this condition.

The carpal tunnel is a thin passage located on the palm side of the wrist, which protects the main nerve in the hand and tendons that bend the fingers. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) is characterized by pain and tingling sensations in the hand and fingers. Dealing with this painful condition is difficult and can eventually affect the quality of your life. CTS can affect both men and women. Leading healthcare centers in Brooklyn, NYC offer a wide variety of treatment options that reduce pain and improve function associated with CTS. Here are some common questions and answers related to CTS – What is the carpal tunnel?

The carpal tunnel is a thin/narrow passage located on the palm side of the wrist, where the median nerve and nine tendons pass from the forearm into the hand. This passageway serves as a medium for tendons and blood vessels extending from the arm into the hand.

What is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS)?

Carpal tunnel syndrome is the feeling of pain, tingling sensation and numbness in your hand due to the excessive pressure on the median nerve in the wrist. The condition usually affects the thumb, index finger and middle finger. Generally, the symptoms of CTS develop slowly and become worse during the night.

What causes this syndrome?

Most cases of this syndrome occur due to a combination of several factors (which put excessive pressure on the nerve and tendons in the carpal tunnel). The median nerve that runs from the forearm through a passageway in the wrist provides a sensation to the palm side of the thumb and fingers.

Hence, anything that directly irritates the median nerve in the carpal tunnel space may often lead to this condition. The excessive pressure on the nerve can happen in several ways, including – swelling of the lining of the flexor tendons (called tenosynovitis), joint dislocations, fractures and fluid-build-up during pregnancy.

What are the common symptoms?

The pain symptoms can range from mild to severe and differ from one person to another. As the intensity of the pain increases, it often becomes difficult to hold an object or even perform routine manual tasks. Common symptoms include –

 Swollen feeling in the fingers  Pain in the wrist, palm or forearm  Numbness or tingling sensation in the hand or fingers

Address: 3500 Nostrand Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11229 | Phone: (718) 769-2521 E-mail: info@hqbk.com

 Difficulty gripping objects with the hands or dropping objects  Dryness of the skin in the fingers  Pain and/or numbness that gets worse at night or interrupts sleep However, chronic CTS can also lead to atrophy of the hand muscles.

Can other conditions cause these symptoms?

Any specific condition that affects the median nerve can produce similar symptoms. This may include -thoracic outlet syndrome and cervical spondylosis, (both of which may cause nerve impingement at points closer to the spine).

How do people get CTS? In some cases, people are born with unusually thin carpal tunnels and are naturally prone to this disorder. On the other hand, people can also develop this condition as the result of constant or over flexing of the wrist or hand, which produces chronic inflammation. Holding the wrist in an unhealthy position for long periods of time can also lead to CTS. What are the risk factors associated with CTS? A number of factors can contribute to this condition. Although all these factors may not directly contribute to the same, they can potentially increase the chances of developing median nerve damage.

These potential risk factors include – obesity, nerve damaging conditions, family history of CTS, pregnancy – (up to about 50% of pregnant women develop CTS), injuries to the wrist, strenuous/repetitive work with the hand, and alterations in the balance of body fluids.

How is CTS diagnosed?

As the symptoms of this condition get worse over time, early diagnosis and treatment is important for CTS. As part of the diagnosis, the physician may conduct a detailed physical examination and perform several diagnostic imaging tests such as electro-diagnostic tests (nerve conduction studies), MRI scan (Magnetic resonance imaging), electromyogram and X-ray to determine the correct treatment modality for the same.

What are the non-surgical options for treating CTS? It is important to treat carpal tunnel syndrome as early as possible soon after the symptoms start.

Reliable pain management centers offer several treatment modalities such as physical therapy, TENS, Ice and Heat application, chiropractic care and pain management injections to help reduce pain.

Address: 3500 Nostrand Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11229 | Phone: (718) 769-2521 E-mail: info@hqbk.com

Physical therapy exercise programs include - gentle stretching, strengthening and aerobic exercises that help to improve normal function and movement of joints. TENS reduce pain by using a low-voltage electric stimulation that interacts with the sensory nervous system. Ice packs lower inflammation whereas heat packs provide muscle relaxation. Corticosteroid injections help reduce inflammation and swelling, which relieves pressure on the median nerve. Anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, and others), may help relieve pain from CTS in the short term. Chiropractic treatment includes gentle manipulation of the wrist, elbow and cervical spine. Using wrist splints can help relieve symptoms of tingling and numbness.

Can CTS be prevented?

Generally, there are no proven methods to prevent carpal tunnel syndrome. However, following several strategies can help you minimize the incidence of this syndrome. These prevention strategies include –

 Give rest to your hands and wrists from time to time  Reduce repetitive hand movements (by alternating between tasks for activities)  Improve body posture  Wear gloves that keep your hands and wrists warm  Do regular hand stretching exercises Is surgery recommended for CTS? Surgery for CTS may be recommended only as a last resort, if the disease symptoms are severe and do not respond to any other treatment modalities. The surgery relieves pressure by cutting the ligament pressing on the median nerve. The healing process will result in the ligament tissues gradually growing back together, while allowing more space for the nerve.

Address: 3500 Nostrand Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11229 | Phone: (718) 769-2521 E-mail: info@hqbk.com