Carpal Tunnel Syndrome - Symptoms and Treatment

Carpal tunnel syndrome occurs in the portion of your wrist that is called the carpal tunnel, as opposed to the tarsal tunnel syndrome, which is found in the ankle. The carpal tunnel is a tunnel in the wrist that protects the median nerve, which is responsible for all of the nerve connections and feeling in the fingers, hand, and wrist. When the tendons and ligaments surrounding the tunnel become irritated or inflamed, the result is a feeling of pressure, numbness, and swelling in the fingers and wrist. This can be a very painful and even debilitating condition that, unfortunately, is oftentimes continuously aggravated and worsened over the course of normal daily activity because it is generally that activity which caused the problem initially.

Any sort of action that causes repeated wrist bending or continuous finger movement, such as typing, can cause carpal tunnel syndrome. It is also possible to develop carpal tunnel syndrome as a side effect of diabetes and pregnancy. People who have especially small wrists are at a higher risk of developing carpal tunnel syndrome because there is less room for the median nerve to reside in.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Symptoms:

The first feeling that is generally associated with carpal tunnel syndrome is a tingling sensation in the fingers and wrist. This feeling is the result of the median nerve being compressed by the inflamed surrounding tissues. Some of the common symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome are:

Tingling and numb sensation in the fingers
Pain that extends from the fingers up the forearm to the elbow
Sensation of swelling in the fingers, though there may be no swelling visible
Weakness in the hand and fingers
Inability to effectively grip objects
In extreme cases there can be a loss of sensation in the hand

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Treatment:

The first thing that you should do if you suspect you have carpal tunnel syndrome is to try and cease, or at least limit, the activity causing the irritation. You should also wear a wrist splint in order to limit the movement and pressure being placed on the wrist. In a lot of cases if the wrist is rested enough the carpal tunnel syndrome will alleviate itself. You should also apply hot and cold compresses to help alleviate the swelling of the surrounding tissues, and, thus, alleviate the pressure being placed on the median nerve. You can also take over the counter anti-inflammatory medications such as ibuprofen.

If you have worn a wrist splint and used the other recommended home treatments for four weeks or more and the pain from your carpal tunnel syndrome has not subsided, you should contact your physician. He or she can recommend further forms of treatment, such as cortisone shot directly in the affected area. This is a simple, in-office procedure that involves minimal discomfort and can be greatly effective in stopping the pain of carpal tunnel syndrome. If the pain continues even following the additional treatments offered by your physician, you may need to have carpal tunnel syndrome surgery.

Carpal Tunnel SyndromeSymptoms and Treatment

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Symptoms and Treatment