What is carpal tunnel syndrome?
doctor said it affects the nerves on my left hand and gave me nervilon to take three times a day. the doctor also said that if the ring and pinkie finger still continues to numb and does not function normally, he willrefer me to a physical therapist. what can be done about this symptom? is it curable?
Whats carpal tunnel syndrome?
Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is a medical condition in which the median nerve is compressed at the wrist causing symptoms like tingling, numbness, night time wakening, pain, coldness, and sometimes weakness in parts of the hand. CTS is more common in women than it is in men, and has a peak incidence around age 50 (though it can occur in any adult). The lifetime risk for CTS is around 10% of the adult population. The median nerve runs through the carpal tunnel, a canal in the wrist that is surrounded by bone on three sides, and a fibrous sheath (the flexor retinaculum) on the other. In addition to the nerve, many tendons of the hand pass through this canal. The median nerve can be compressed by swelling of the contents of the canal. Other causes include soft tissue swelling in and around the tunnel or even by direct pressure from part of a broken or dislocated bone. However, bone dislocations are a rare cause of carpal tunnel syndrome that are a result of severe traumatic events. Most cases of CTS are idiopathic. Many people with carpal tunnel syndrome have gradual increasing symptoms over time. A common factor in developing carpal tunnel symptoms is increased hand use or activity. While repetitive activities are often blamed for the development of CTS, the correlation is often unclear. Physiology and family history may have a significant role in individual's susceptibility. Many cases of carpal tunnel syndrome are provoked by repetitive grasping and manipulating activities. The exposure can be cumulative. Activities may be work-related or related to other activities (i.e. home improvement chores.) Symptoms are commonly exacerbated by forceful and repetitive use of the hand and wrists in industrial occupations, including jack hammer operators, meat packers, computer users and musicians. The condition has been documented for decades, but in recent 10 to 20 years has become more prevalent, probably due to better public awareness and earlier diagnosis. However, recent studies and peer review articles have found no relationship between carpal tunnel syndrome and office-type work. Specifically, research studies have found no statistically significant association between CTS and keyboard use. The jury is still out on what, if any, relationship may exist between CTS and light office work and computer use.
What is the cause of carpal tunnel syndrome?
You mean median nerve entrapment? Most often it is caused by your long flexor tendons becoming inflamed and pressing on the median nerve. Think of it like sitting between two fat people on an airplane. They are the first to raise the arm rests and their adipose tissue spills over into your space. So, tendons become inflamed and press on the median nerve. Simple.Tendons most often become inflamed because we misuse them. NOT OVER USE THEM. The biggest culprit of this inflammation is when we use two muscles at the same time to move one bone. The tendon gets caught in the middle of the bone and muscle. When two forces pull simultaneously in tug of war for control of a finger bone, something has to give.Tie a string to a doorknob and pull on it. Eventually something will break. Your hand? The doorknob? The string? Now, if you pull the string just enough to create tension, the string is tensed but, not torn. But, if the door opens out and someone opens it from the other side . . . . These are called vector forces but much more complicated in our arms because every muscle is interconnected.The cure is really simple: Learn to move properly. Or, get drugs, injections and surgery.
What are the symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome?
The first symptoms of CTS usually appear when trying to sleep. Symptoms range from paresthesia (a burning, tingling numbness in the fingers, especially of the thumb and index and middle fingers) to difficulty gripping and making a fist. Inability to firmly grasp and dropping things is common. If left untreated the symptoms can progress, and increasing pain intensity can further restrict hand functionality. In the early stages of CTS, individuals often mistakenly blame the tingling numbness on their sleeping position, thinking their hands have had restricted circulation and are simply "falling asleep". It is important to note that unless numbness is one of the predominant symptoms, it is unlikely the symptoms are primarily caused by carpal tunnel syndrome. In effect, pain of any type, location, or severity with the absence of significant numbness, is not likely to fall under this diagnosis. Carpal tunnel syndrome is known as a "hidden disability" because people can do some things with their hands and appear to have normal hand function. However, despite these appearances, those afflicted often live with severely restricted hand activity due to the pain.
This Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is driving me crazy. What can I do?
How do you know you have carpal tunnel? Were you evaluated by an orthopedist? carpal tunnel decompression takes literally 45 minutes to perform. But the downside is the healing/recovery takes 4 to 5 weeks and most surgeons have you wear a small brace. Some do send you to an physical therapist who can have you do exercises to see if that will help aleviate some of your symptoms. The worst thing with the recovery is that you can lift nothing heavier than a can of soda but you can still use your fingers. I have had patients who have had both hands done at the same time. best of luck to you!
Can writing a lot cause carpal tunnel syndrome?
Yes!Jusr about any activity involving continuous and repetitive motion of the wrist ( AND that includes writing!) can lead to median nerve “irritation” ie Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.Writing comes in a wide range of styles. Some of them put the wrist in incredibly awkward ie flexed and deviated, positions.So, what to do?ExperimentFor example…Try different writing styles.It doesn’t have to be dramatic and it doesn’t have to be all at once.Adjust your seat height.Try a new chairChange the chair orientation at your deskChange your orientation on the chairUse more arm, less wristEtc…This is just for starters…AND, as always, see a real life doctor with experience treating this stuff.Confirm the diagnosis. Carpal tunnel often gets misdiagnosed or there may be other issues going on as well.GOOD LUCK!
Can you get carpal tunnel syndrome from beating your meat?
since it is caused by a repative motion/it would be possible /but rare very rare
What's the best way to treat and cure carpal tunnel syndrome?
Nonsurgical treatment usually relieves the pressure and pain in the wrist and hand. Mild carpal tunnel syndrome is often treated first by changing the way you do things. If an activity seems to be aggravating your symptoms, you can try doing it less often, increasing the amount of rest time between repetitions, or changing the position you are using for the activity. You may also want to get a wrist brace that keeps your wrist straight and wear it at night. Stretching and strengthening your hands and arms may also help. If your symptoms have continued through a few weeks of home treatment or are more severe, you may require treatment by a health professional. Treatment may need to include medication or care for an underlying condition that is contributing to your carpal tunnel syndrome symptoms. Surgery is an option for treating carpal tunnel syndrome. However, it is usually reserved for carpal tunnel syndrome that is disabling and that hasn't responded to weeks of treatment. Surgery involves cutting the ligament that forms the roof of the carpal tunnel, which makes more room in the tunnel and relieves pressure on the median nerve. The surgery (carpal tunnel release) is usually successful but in some cases does not completely relieve the numbness or pain. The earlier your condition is diagnosed, the better your chances of relieving the symptoms and preventing permanent damage to the median nerve.
If I think I have carpal tunnel syndrome, what sort of doctor should I see?
Really depends on what stage you're at. Lots of good suggestions for earlier stages. If it gets bad enough however ie worsening discomfort and sensory changes with numbness and tingling, and weakness, then it's probably time to be evaluated by a hand surgeon.Having said that, just because I'm a surgeon and even though I'm generally seeing the worst cases, I still don't immediately operate on every case I see. Some patents come to me mis-diagnosed. They may have carpal tunnel syndrome but turns out their main symptoms are due to something else, etc..But for those who do need the surgery it's a blessing. It generally works quite well and without much downside. It's generally a 15 mimute out patient procedure under local anesthesia with some light sedation. Patients can use their hands the same day for most necessary activities. And symptom relief is generally good even for severe cases.