Dr.BrindaKantha
Total Rehabilitation & Sports Medicine
The carpal tunnel is a narrow passageway in the wrist, about an inch wide, thatprotects the median nerve and flexor tendons that bend the fingers and thumb. The roof of the tunnel is a strong band of connective tissue,and because these boundaries are very rigid, the carpal tunnel has little capacity to “stretch” or increase in size.
Carpal tunnel syndrome is a common condition that occurs when the mediannerveis squeezed or compressedas it travels through the wristcausing pain, numbness, and tingling in the hand and arm. Because carpal tunnel gets worse over time, early diagnosis and treatment are important. Though early symptoms may be relieved simply by avoiding certain activities or by wearing a wrist splint, as carpel tunnel worsens, permanent damage to the median nerve can occur.
Most cases of carpal tunnel syndrome are caused by a combination of factors, with studies indicatingthat women and older peoplearemore prone to developing the condition.
Risk factors include:
Heredity –The carpal tunnel may be smaller or there may be anatomic differences
that change the amount of space for the nerve, these traits may be genetic.
Repetitive hand use –Repeating the same hand and wrist motions or activities
over a prolonged period of time may aggravate the tendons in the wrist.
Hand and wrist position –Activities that involve extreme flexion or extension of
the hand and wrist for a prolonged period of time can increase pressure on
the nerve.
Pregnancy –Hormonal changes during pregnancy can cause swelling.
Health conditions.Diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, and thyroid gland imbalance
are conditions that are associated with carpal tunnel syndrome.
The symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome can begin gradually.As the condition worsens, symptoms may occur more frequently or may persist for longer periods of time with night-time symptoms very common.
Seeing a medical professional is an important step to resolving carpel tunnel. Tests including Electromyography (EMG), ultrasound, and MRIcan help measure how well the median nerve is working and help determine whether there is too much pressure on the nerve. Correct diagnosis is important in the early stages of carpel tunnel to enable slowing down or stopping the progression of the disease.
Although it is a gradual process, for most people carpal tunnel syndrome will worsen over time without some form of treatment. For this reason, it is important to be evaluated and diagnosed by amedical professionalearly on. In the early stages, it may be possible to slow or stop the progression of the disease, avoiding a surgical alternative.
Nonsurgical treatments may include:
Bracing or splintingto keep the wrist in a neutral position whilesleeping,
therebyrelieving pressure onthe nerve.
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)can help relieve pain and
inflammation.
Activity changes or modificationscan help slow or stop progression of the
disease.
Nerve gliding exercisesrecommended by a doctor or therapist can help the
median nerve more freely within the carpal tunnel.
Steroid injectionsinto the carpal tunnel provide apowerful anti-inflammatory affect that canrelieve painful symptoms or helpto calma flare up of symptoms.
Surgical treatment, often done in an outpatient setting, to relieve pressure on the median nerve and increase the size of the tunnel,may become necessary based on the severity of symptoms and the potential for irreversible damage.
Total Rehabilitation & Sports Medicine specialists offer integrated care for total pain relief including injury prevention strategies, treatment of pain, and post-injury rehabilitation. Medical and professional staff work as a collaborative team to develop an individual treatment plan to reduce pain, restore function, and improve your quality of life.
For further information,call 908-252-9900 or visit us
