What is carpal tunnel syndrome?
Carpal tunnel syndrome is one of the most frequently occurring nerve disorders today. It occurs when the median nerve — the main nerve that produces sensation in your palm and fingers — grows compressed or pinched.
This compression occurs where the median nerve moves through the carpal tunnel, the narrow channel made of bones and ligaments in your wrist.
What are the symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome?
Carpal tunnel syndrome causes a variety of issues, but they usually start slowly and increase over time. Some symptoms to watch for include:
- Pain
- Tingling (pins-and-needles) sensations
- Shock-like sensations
- Numbness
- Weak grip
These symptoms can occur in your wrist, palm, or in any fingers except your pinky. Because the median nerve doesn’t send sensations to your smallest finger, you typically won’t have any issues with that finger if you have carpal tunnel syndrome.
Why does carpal tunnel syndrome develop?
There are usually several contributing causes of carpal tunnel syndrome, as a number of factors can result in median nerve compression.
Medical conditions
Fractures, inflammatory conditions like arthritis, and nerve-damaging conditions like diabetes can all cause or contribute to carpal tunnel syndrome. Obesity may also contribute.
Wrist size
The anatomical structure of your wrist can also put you at higher risk. Naturally small wrists are more prone to carpal tunnel syndrome, and women (who generally have smaller wrists than men) are three times as likely to develop this condition.
Wrist and hand movement
Working with your hands regularly, particularly with vibrating tools, can significantly increase your risk of carpal tunnel syndrome. People who flex their hands a lot, like those working on an assembly line, often develop carpal tunnel syndrome.
Other things can lead to carpal tunnel syndrome, too. Your Mid Atlantic Orthopedic Associates, LLC, the provider will review your medical background and lifestyle carefully to find contributing factors.
How is carpal tunnel syndrome treated?
If you see an orthopedic specialist when symptoms first start, you can often get an early-stage diagnosis. At that point, carpal tunnel syndrome may respond well to conservative care, such as wrist bracing, activity changes, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, steroid injections, and physical therapy.
For late-stage carpal tunnel syndrome, or for symptoms that don’t ease after conservative care, your specialist may recommend carpal tunnel release. In this surgery, your doctor can widen your carpal tunnel to relieve pressure and end your carpal tunnel symptoms. In many cases, your surgeon can use arthroscopic surgery for this procedure.
