Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Carpal tunnel syndrome is a common disorder that causes pain, numbness, tingling, and weakness in the hand and wrist. It occurs when there is a high amount of pressure within the wrist on a nerve called the median nerve. This median nerve provides sensation to the thumb, index, and middle fingers, and half of the ring finger. Carpal tunnel is a narrow passage in the wrist. The bottom and sides are formed by small semi-circular bones called carpal bones. A ligament forms the top of the tunnel. The median nerve and tendons pass through this space.

Women are three times more possible to have carpal tunnel syndrome than men. It is mostly diagnosed between ages 30 and 60. Jobs involving repetitive finger use may develop this disorder. Contributing factors: high salt intake, sedentary lifestyle, obesity. At-risk professions: Manufacturing, Assembly line work, Keyboarding occupations, Construction work.

Symptoms begin slowly. Early symptoms: numbness, tingling, and pain in thumb and first three fingers, wrist pain at night. Daytime symptoms: tingling in fingers, burning pain traveling up arm, weakness in hand muscles, difficulty with small tasks like picking objects, driving, holding books, writing, typing.

Tests include: Tinel's sign (tapping over median nerve), Wrist flexion test, X-rays, Electromyography (EMG), Nerve conduction study.

Non-surgical: Avoid continuous hand movement, wrist splints, medication for pain and inflammation, steroid injections, physiotherapy, cold packs. Surgery: Open release surgery or Endoscopic surgery (carpal tunnel release). Endoscopic usually has quicker recovery with less pain and scarring. 95% of patients get relief. Prevention: Maintain diabetes and blood pressure levels, proper hand posture, physical therapy exercises, straight wrist while sleeping, frequent breaks while working, warm-ups before activities.