Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: An Overview

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Article Title: Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: An Overview

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What is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?

There are 8 bones in our wrists called carpals. They form a

tunnel like structure. That is how carpal tunnel got its name.

Finger movements are controlled by flexor tendons, which are

found within this tunnel. The median nerve reaches sensory

cells in the hand, through this pathway of tunnel.

Carpal tunnel syndrome is a painful and progressive condition

that occurs in the wrist. It is caused by the compression of

the median nerve in the wrist. The median nerve runs into the

hand starting from the forearm. When it becomes squeezed or

pressed at the wrist, its message carrying and receiving

ability from the brain gets inhibited. It is not necessary that

the whole median nerve be pressed to cause carpal tunnel

syndrome. The syndrome is caused when a point on the nerve is

pressed. As a result of this compression the nerve does not

function properly and causes carpal tunnel syndrome.

1 out of every 100 people is affected by carpal tunnel syndrome

at some point in their life. It is commonly caused in the women

of the age group of 30-50 years. Carpal tunnel syndrome is also

known as Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI). Carpal tunnel syndrome

is inclusive of the (RSI) related soft tissue injuries.

What Causes Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?

Though there are various possibilities behind the cause of

carpal tunnel syndrome, the basic cause is the compression of

tunnel walls. As the tunnel walls compress, they put pressure

on the median nerve. As the median nerve gets stressed, it

causes carpal tunnel syndrome.

Congenital predisposition is also a cause of carpal tunnel

disorder. In a majority of cases the carpal tunnel is smaller

than the normal, which causes the median nerve to stress.

The syndrome can develop quickly, if the wrist has been

fractured or injured. Rheumatoid Arthritis is also a cause of

carpal tunnel syndrome.

In some cases repetitive stress induced carpal tunnel strain

causes this syndrome. If a person’s occupation involves,

gripping, typing or digging, the hand gets strained and it

directly strains the median nerve.

Repetitive wrist and hand action results in the injury and

swelling of the subcutaneous tissues. These tissues include

muscle, ligament, fascia, sheaths, tendon, blood vessels and

peripheral and retinaculum nerve. Due to the small and

restricted passage of the tunnel, these swollen tissues can

compress together and create concentrated pressure.

Carpal tunnel syndrome can also be caused due to some trauma

based incidents. These causes include fracture or injury of the

wrist or one of the arm bones. Internal hemorrhaging in the

wrist leads to formation of hematoma which causes the syndrome.

If any one of the carpal bones of the wrist gets dislocated, it

leads to carpal syndrome. Obesity is another common cause of

carpal tunnel syndrome. Women who take contraceptive pills can

also go on to develop this condition.

Symptoms of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

The early symptoms include tingling, numbness and burning in

the thumb and the index and middle fingers. People suffering

from this syndrome, find it hard to grip things, or make a

fist. The symptom grows to a severe pain in the hand and

restricts the movement of the hand at all. A person gradually

loses his ability to squeeze things. They may even find it very

hard to tie their shoe laces and picking things up becomes a

challenge.

In the worst cases of carpal tunnel syndrome, the patients are

unable to differentiate between hot and cold things by touch.

Who is at Risk?

People who are involved in assembly line work are at the

maximum risk of developing carpal tunnel syndrome. However it

can also develop in the people who are constantly related to

any of the following activities or professions:

Video games

Computer keyboard typing or typewriter typing

Musical instruments

Driving a vehicle

Surgeons and Dentists

People involved in exhaustive activity of hands like drilling,

digging.

Treatment Available.

Avoiding repetitive and exhaustive activities related to hand

movement, is the first instruction for someone suffering with

carpal tunnel syndrome. The patient must abstain from such

activities in order to give relief to their hand and free the

median nerve of pressure.

Stretching exercises also helps in treating the syndrome as

exercising helps in maintaining blood flow normal in the

nerves.

Medicines like corticosteroid and prescription based NSAID’s

can help in relieving the syndrome. If the condition gets

worse, there is the option of surgery.

You should consult your doctor immediately if you feel you may

be suffering with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.

About The Author: writes articles on a number of

different topics. For more information on Carpal Tunnel

Syndrome please visit http://www.carpal-tunnel-syndrome.org/

and for additional Carpal Tunnel Syndrome related articles

please visit the following article page

http://www.carpal-tunnel-syndrome.org/carpaltunnel-articles/

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