This syndrome causes symptoms such as pain, numbness, tingling, and muscle weakness in the fingers and hands.
What is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is a common condition caused by compression of the median nerve as it passes through the carpal tunnel, a rectangular space formed by the wrist bones and the transverse carpal ligament.
This condition leads to symptoms such as pain, numbness, tingling, and muscle weakness in the fingers and hands, particularly in the areas innervated by the median nerve (thumb, index finger, middle finger, and half of the ring finger). Symptoms often occur at night or during activities that involve repetitive wrist movements.
Causes of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome can have various causes, the most common being inflammation of the flexor tendons or wrist joint conditions.
Other risk factors include pregnancy, gout, hypothyroidism, rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, or chronic alcohol use.
This syndrome is more commonly seen in middle-aged women, with women affected more often than men. Workers who frequently engage in activities requiring wrist dexterity, precision, and repetition, such as using a computer mouse, sewing, or doing nails, are also at higher risk.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is a prevalent cause of hand numbness and pain, becoming increasingly common, especially among office workers due to excessive typing.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome can have various causes.
Warning Signs of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Manifestations of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome include:
- A vague sensation of swelling in the fingers.
- Numbness in the hands, tingling, burning, and pain, primarily affecting the thumb, index finger, middle finger, and part of the ring finger; numbness may sometimes extend up the forearm and arm.
- Pain or tingling may radiate up the forearm toward the shoulder.
- In more severe cases, weakness and clumsiness in the hands can occur, along with muscle pain, cramps, which may complicate routine tasks like grasping objects, buttoning clothing, using a phone, driving, or reading.
- Dropping objects due to a feeling of hand numbness or loss of spatial awareness of the hand.
Diagnosing Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Diagnosis of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is based on symptoms, clinical signs, and confirmation through nerve conduction studies or electromyography. These tests help determine the extent and location of median nerve damage. Additionally, further testing may be needed to rule out other causes of the symptoms.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome can cause many inconveniences for patients.
Treatment for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Treatment for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome may include non-surgical or surgical methods.
Non-surgical measures include:
- Limiting activities that irritate the wrist.
- Wearing a wrist splint at night to reduce pressure on the median nerve.
- Using non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to alleviate inflammation and pain.
- Injecting corticosteroids into the carpal tunnel to reduce swelling and inflammation.
- Performing therapeutic exercises for the wrist and hand.
If non-surgical measures are ineffective or the condition has worsened, surgery may be necessary to enlarge the carpal tunnel and relieve pressure on the median nerve.
Surgery can be performed using two methods: open surgery or endoscopic surgery. Surgical procedures typically yield good results, helping to improve symptoms and hand function.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is a common condition that can cause significant inconveniences for patients. However, if diagnosed early and treated promptly, this condition can be managed and fully recovered. Patients should adhere to their doctor’s recommendations and take preventive measures to avoid recurrence.
