What is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?
Carpal Tunnel syndrome is a condition in which the median nerve traveling down the arm becomes compressed at the wrist.
In the majority of cases surgery can be avoided. Quite often, the symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome can be resolved with conservative treatment consisting of specific and targeted myofascial massage and stretching of the muscles which entrap the median nerve above the carpal tunnel. A home care program of daily stretching by the patient is mandatory for resolution.
What Are The Causes of Carpal Tunnel?
More commonly, studies have shown that compression of the median nerve occurs above the carpal tunnel in which tight forearm muscles from repetitive use and cumulative trauma involving the wrist and hand exert compression on the nerve, mimicking a true carpal tunnel condition. Examples include typing at a computer and electronic devices, sports and work injuries.
What Are The Signs And Symptoms of Carpal Tunnel?
The thumb, index and middle finger become numb.
What Are The Risk Factors of Carpal Tunnel?
Long term compression of the median nerve can result in numbness and weakness in the muscles of hand and fingers
How is Carpal Tunnel Diagnosed?
Specific in office exam procedures most often produce a diagnosis. More complicated or advanced cases require electrodiagnostic testing in a neurodiagnostic setting.
What Are Possible Treatments For Carpal Tunnel?
Myofascial massage to specific muscles of the forearm can commonly relieve this condition. A home program of regular stretching is also critical.
Are There Preventative Steps or Measures To Avoid Carpal Tunnel?
Activity modification is necessary. Avoiding the repetitive stress activities that aggravate and inflame the carpal tunneland the median nerve is necessary.
What Are The Risks If Carpal Tunnel Is Left Untreated?
If Carpal Tunnel is left untreated the condition will only worsen.
Are There Other Related Conditions To Carpal Tunnel?
Pronator Teres Syndrome is a more common condition that can easily mimic carpal tunnel syndrome. It is mandatory to consider this as a differential diagnosis in a patient with carpal tunnel syndrome complaints.
