Understanding Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is a common and troublesome condition that interferes with the use of the hand. It is caused when too much pressure is put on a nerve that runs through your wrist. A variety of anatomical abnormalities may be responsible for this vise-like pressure. Once symptoms of pain and tingling appear, the condition frequently worsens and permanent nerve damage may occur. However, CTS is highly treatable if diagnosed early.

The pain, numbness, and tingling of CTS can happen anywhere and anytime, at home or at work. But most often symptoms begin by waking you up at night. Shaking or massaging the hand may work temporarily, but if ignored, CTS gets progressively worse. The pain increases, the grip weakens, and you may begin dropping things. Fortunately, appropriate treatment is available.

It's always best to prevent a condition, and CTS is no exception. But if you do notice symptoms, don't wait for them to become unbearable. The earlier you have a professional diagnosis and treatment, the more successful the outcome will be.

Prevention

At home or on the job, there are steps you can take that may help decrease the risk of developing or worsening the symptoms of CTS.

Early Diagnosis

Early diagnosis of CTS means you get relief sooner. It also minimizes the possibility of permanent nerve damage, discomfort, and disability.

Treatment Options

Treatment usually begins with a splint, medication, or both. If symptoms don't subside, your physician may recommend surgery.

The Carpal Tunnel

In order to understand CTS, it helps if you understand the anatomy of the carpal (meaning "wrist") tunnel. Conditions in many parts of the body can cause symptoms in the hands and fingers. In CTS, the symptoms occur because a major nerve is compressed as it passes through a narrow tunnel of bone and ligament at the wrist. The result is numbness, tingling, "pins and needles", burning, and pain in the middle and index fingers and thumb, and sometimes in all five fingers.

Various conditions cause wrist structures to take up extra space in the carpal tunnel. Since bones and ligaments have no "give", this puts pressure on the nerve, resulting in symptoms.

Wear and Tear The synovium around the tendons may become thick and sticky due to normal wear and tear of the aging process or repetitive hand movements, thus pressing the nerve against the tunnel.
Bone Dislocation and Fracture Previous dislocation or fracture of the wrist causes bone to protrude into the tunnel. Arthritis may also be present. Consequently, the tunnel becomes too narrow and puts pressure on the nerve.
Fluid Retention Edema (fluid retention) causes swelling of tissue in the carpal tunnel, including perhaps the nerve itself. This occurs most often during pregnancy, with the symptoms subsiding after delivery.