Carpal Tunnel Syndrome - Causes and Symptoms - Diagnosis and Treatment

The Complete Guide to Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Carpal tunnel syndrome CTS is caused by compression of the median nerve, which runs from the arm to the hand. CTS is a common condition that causes numbness, tingling, and pain in the hands and arms. Carpal tunnel syndrome is affecting about 3 percent of the population. It is more common in women than men, and it often occurs during pregnancy and the condition is also more common in people over the age of 40.

If you think you may be suffering from CTS, it is important to see a doctor for a diagnosis. In severe cases, surgery may be necessary to relieve the pressure on the median nerve. Carpal tunnel syndrome is more likely to occur in patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis.

What is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?

What is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?

Carpal tunnel syndrome is the compression of the median nerve as it passes into the hand. The median nerve provides sensation to your thumb, index finger, long finger, and part of the ring finger. It supplies the impulse to the muscle going to the thumb. Carpal tunnel syndrome can occur in one or both of your hands.

The compression happens when the tendons in your wrist become swollen. The swollen tendons take up more space and put pressure on the median nerve. This pressure can cause the symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome.

Symptoms of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Carpal tunnel syndrome is a medical condition characterized by the compression of the median nerve in the wrist. It is caused by a combination of factors including genetics, anatomy, lifestyle, and medical history. Symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome can manifest in different ways and vary in severity depending on the individual. 

The most common symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome are pain, tingling, and numbness in the wrist, hand, and fingers. Pain can range from mild to severe, and can be exacerbated by activities such as typing or using a mouse on the computer. People with carpal tunnel syndrome may also experience a burning or aching sensation in the wrist and hand, and tingling or numbness in the fingers. Weakness in the hand and forearm muscles may also occur. 

Carpal tunnel syndrome can also cause pain and numbness to radiate up the arm and into the shoulder. In some cases, people may find it difficult to grip objects, or they may drop things frequently due to the weakness in their hands. In severe cases, carpal tunnel syndrome may cause loss of grip strength, muscle atrophy, and even loss of sensation in the affected hand. 

It is important to seek medical attention if you are experiencing any of the symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome. Early diagnosis and treatment can help reduce the severity of symptoms and prevent further damage to the median nerve. Proper rest, stretches, and use of ergonomic keyboards or mouse pads can also help to reduce the symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome.

Causes of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

CTS occurs when the space in the wrist (carpal tunnel) becomes narrow. This condition compresses the median nerve and tendons (located inside the carpal tunnel), causing them to swell, resulting in loss of sensation in the fingers and hand.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrme Test

carpal tunnel syndrome test

For diagnosis, the doctor will first ask you about the symptoms of the disease and after discussing your medical history, he will ask you to do some laboratory tests after examining you carefully. 

Tinel Sign Test

In the tinel sign test, the physician first palpates the median nerve at the wrist and carefully examines the fingers for tingling. You may feel a tingling sensation when your therapist taps your wrist.

Phalen's test

In Phalen's test your physician will place your elbows on the table and slowly move your wrist forward, causing the patient to feel numbness and tingling for about sixty seconds.

Nerve Conduction Velocity (NCV) Test

NCV Test

A nerve conduction velocity Test or NCV test is used to assess nerve dysfunction and damage. This test procedure measures how fast electrical signals travel in your peripheral nerves. If nerve impulses are slower than normal, you may have carpal tunnel syndrome.

Treatment of Carpal Tunnel Syndrme

Many people question that "what will happen if carpal tunnel syndrome is not treated" and the answer is "If carpal tunnel syndrome is left untreated, the pressure on the median nerve can cause nerve damage. Nerve damage from carpal tunnel syndrome can lead to weakness and pain in the wrist and hand. Over time, the nerve damage can cause an inability to feel sensation in the hand and cause weakness in the hand muscles. This can make it difficult for an individual to perform everyday activities like writing and typing"

CTS is treated non-surgically and surgically. Generally, non-surgical treatment is used in less severe cases and doctors allow you to continue your daily activities without interruption, while surgical treatment can help in more severe cases. Surgery is painful but the most effective treatment.

Carpal Tunnel Treatment Without Surgery

Non surgical treatment for carpal tunnel syndrome will vary depending on the individual's symptoms and medical history. However, some general tips to treat carpal tunnel syndrome without surgery include:

• Rest and Ice: Resting and icing the wrist may help relieve pain and inflammation, and may speed the healing process.
• Splinting: Splinting the wrist may help to prevent movement and reduce pain.
• Stretch and exercise regularly to keep the muscles flexible.
• Reduce or avoid repetitive tasks that cause pain.
• Using a wrist splint to limit movement in the wrist.
• Using a carpal tunnel relief cream or gel.

See a doctor if the pain does not go away or if it becomes severe.

Surgical Treatment

Doctors report that the carpal tunnel surgery success rate is around 90%. Patients also report that after surgery, many of these symptoms have disappeared. Carpal tunnel surgery is a painful but permanent solution to this condition.

Endoscopic Carpal Tunnel Release Surgery

When carpal tunnel release surgery is performed, a skilled surgeon makes a small incision over the carpal tunnel ligament in the palm of your hand and cuts the ligament to relieve pressure on the median nerve. A hand undergoing endoscopic carpal tunnel release surgery may take four weeks or longer to heal.

There is also a possibility that the tendon sheath may be affected during surgical treatment.