What is carpal tunnel syndrome?It is a condition in which there is excessive pressure on the median nerve in the wrist that stimulates feeling and movement to parts of the hand. Carpal tunnel syndrome can lead to tingling, numbness, and muscle damage to the hand and fingers. What are the causes?Making the same hand and wrist movements repeatedly may cause the condition. It hasn’t been proven that typing on keyboards or using a mouse causes the condition, but these activities can contribute to tendonitis or bursitis. What are the symptoms?
- Difficulty gripping objects
- Numbness or tingling in the thumb, fingers, or palm
- Pain in the wrist or hand
- Pain extending to elbow
As the disease progresses, patients can develop a burning sensation or shooting pains in the forearm. Chronic carpal tunnel syndrome can also lead to atrophy of the hand muscles. How is it diagnosed?Often carpal tunnel takes the wrap for a myriad of conditions or diseases that involve pain of the hand and arm. The term is so well known but only 1 in 5 people with these symptoms actually have carpal tunnel syndrome. To establish a diagnosis, a clinician will evaluate your elbows, wrists, and arms for strength and flexibility imbalances, tissue adhesions, and muscle dysfunction. What are the treatment options?Current research supports the use of physical therapy to restore normal movements to the elbow, hand, and wrist. You can make changes in your home or at work to alleviate pain and pressure. Some medications, like Ibuprofen and Naproxen, are used to relieve symptoms temporarily. Corticosteroid injections can also be given in the carpal tunnel area to relieve pain. Surgery is usually a last resort option for those with chronic carpal tunnel syndrome, but has a very high success rate. If you are experiencing symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome, the experts at Michigan Hand and Wrist offers comprehensive adult and pediatric care to treat this condition. Live your life pain-free and contact the experienced medical team at Michigan Hand and Wrist to begin your treatment.