Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is a painful condition that affects the wrist, fingers and – in some instances – the forearm. The carpal canal or tunnel is a very small space in the wrist that connects the palm and the forearm. Several tendons and the median nerve pass through the carpal canal. The median nerve is one of the 5 main nerves that run from the shoulder to the fingers. If the canal swells or deteriorates, it can place pressure on the tendons and median nerve resulting in tingling, significant discomfort, and/or pain. Since the median nerve controls various finger and hand movement, much of that discomfort manifests in both the hand and wrist, though in some cases the symptoms may extend in the forearm.

What causes carpal tunnel syndrome?

• Aging and arthritis
• Repetitive movement, especially if it involves bending the wrist downward
• Wrist injuries
• Bone spurs
• Pregnancy
• Hypothyroidism
• Diabetes
• Obesity
• Smoking

Women have a higher proclivity to develop this syndrome as their carpal tunnels are significantly smaller than males.

What are the primary symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome?

• Tingling
• Numbness
• Weakness
• Pain in the fingers, hand, and/or forearm

Symptoms most frequently manifest in the thumb, index finger, middle finger, and half of the ring finger. Symptoms never manifest in the “pinkie,” so if you experience pain in all fingers except the pinkie, it is likely that you are experiencing carpal tunnel syndrome. Symptoms are often most prevalent at night and you may be able to relief pain temporarily by shaking the hand vigorously.

What are the treatment options for carpal tunnel syndrome?

• If possible, limit or cease activities that trigger symptoms and aggravate the condition. At the very least, rest the wrist occasionally when performing said activities.
• Wear a carpal tunnel brace or wrist support when at the computer or participating in activities that involve repetitive wrist movement.
• Ice the wrist for 10 minutes 1 or 2 times an hour.
• Take anti-inflammatory drugs to reduce swelling.
• Wear a carpal tunnel wrist splint at night.

The sooner you start treating the syndrome, the more likely you will prevent permanent nerve damage, so as soon as you are diagnosed with carpal tunnel syndrome, you should begin strategizing a treatment plan. In some instances the pain is just too intense and persistent, making surgery the best option. Surgery can increase the circumference of the carpal tunnel, thus reducing pressure on the nerve.

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Understanding Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

In the United States, 1 out of every 20 people will suffer from the effects of carpal tunnel syndrome at some point in their lives. Out of this 5%, women are the most vulnerable and 3 times more likely to develop the condition in comparison to males. Carpal tunnel syndrome is also most common in middle aged and elderly individuals, with over 80% of patients over 40 years of age.

What is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is believed to occur when the median nerve traveling through the carpal tunnel of the wrist is entrapped or compressed. The carpal tunnel is a passageway within the wrist that connects the forearm to the palm. This tunnel consists of bones, several tendons and connective tissue. This tunnel is also rather narrow and when any tendons passing through it swell, the narrowing of the tunnel often results in the median nerve becoming entrapped or compressed.

The Symptoms of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

There are a variety of symptoms associated with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, but the condition typically causes pain and discomfort, muscle weakness and a sensation of numbness or tingling in the hand. More specifically the most common symptoms of Carpal Tunnel syndrome include:

• Hand and wrist pain or discomfort


• A Tingling sensation in the fingers


• Numbness in the fingers or hand


• A sense of weakness in the hands


• Pain radiating from the wrist up the arm to the shoulder

The Causes of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

The underlying causes of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome are relatively unknown and genetic factors may be the leading cause of the condition. However, some common systemic conditions that can lead to Carpal Tunnel Syndrome include hypothyroidism, obesity, arthritis, diabetes and trauma.

Treatments for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Possible treatments for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome include splinting or bracing, corticosteroid injection, activity modification, anti inflammatory medications and surgical release of the transverse carpal ligament.

Immobilizing Braces for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
The importance of wrist braces and wrist splints for reducing the amount of discomfort caused by Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is well known, but many people are unwilling to use these orthotic devices on a regular basis. However, wrist braces and splints have become lighter, cheaper and more comfortable in recent years making this form of treatment more desirable. For example, Ossur makes a Carpal Tunnel wrist brace that features a lightweight low profile design that limits motion, but maintains a high level of comfort. In addition, Swede-O manufactures several wrist braces for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome that not only limits movement, but also provides the added benefits of heat therapy.

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Diagnosing Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

What is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?

Carpel Tunnel Syndrome is a condition resulting from the compression of the median nerve in the carpal tunnel, a narrow passageway between the forearm and hand that is threaded with nerves and tendons. The median nerve is responsible for both sensation and movement in the thumb and middle three fingers. If the median nerve becomes compressed, the result is often pain, limited movement and other unfortunate symptoms.

What are the symptoms of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?

The most common symptoms include:

• Numb hands / loss of sensation in the thumb or fingers


• Tingling fingers


• Hand and wrist pain


• Cold hands


• Impaired hand motor skills


• Poor hand circulation


• Higher frequency of hand “falling asleep”


• Decreased grip strength


• Disrupted sleep due to hand pain or tingling


• Aching shoulders and/or neck

Why did I get Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?

There are several common factors that are likely contributing to your condition.

• Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is first and foremost a repetitive strain injury. It is often triggered by a repetitive task, vibration, position or prolonged compression. If you execute a repetitive task or hold your wrist in an awkward position for long periods of time, you are at high risk to develop Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.


• If you have a small carpal tunnel the likelihood of nerve compression is significantly higher. This is often genetically inherited and thus difficult to “treat”.


• The condition is much more prominent in women, which is likely due to the fact that they have significantly smaller carpal tunnels in general.


• Carpal Tunnel Syndrome can also result from an injury, rheumatoid arthritis or hypothyroidism.

How can I treat Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?

At the end of the day, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is really a series of symptoms, so the goal is to stop these symptoms or at the least, minimize them. If the symptoms disappear the syndrome is essentially over. Unfortunately, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome symptoms return with high frequency and often demand vigilant management. Some treatment options include:

• Rest and immobilization.


• Wearing a carpal tunnel brace, especially during specific trigger tasks.


• Anti-inflammatory medication to reduce swelling and subsequent pressure on the nerve.


• Surgery to relieve pressure on the nerve.

Note: This information is not intended to supplement or replace advice from a medical professional, or to diagnose or treat any condition. A doctor can perform tests to determine whether a patient needs to be treated for carpal tunnel syndrome. Consulting with a medical professional is advisable for anyone who is experiencing any of the before-mentioned symptoms.

About the Author: MMAR Medical Group Inc. is a premier supplier of orthopedic medical products including a wide selection of braces and supports. To find a quality specialty orthopedic braces and support, such as a hinged knee brace or high quality lumbar brace, please visit MMAR Medical online.

Could I have Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?

The carpal tunnel is a narrow passageway through which the median nerve and tendons pass from the forearm to the hand. Carpal tunnel syndrome is a condition in which the median nerve, which is responsible for sensation and some movement in the thumb and closest three fingers, becomes constricted. Several factors can cause the carpal tunnel to narrow, placing pressure on the median nerve and potentially causing some of the characteristic symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome – pain, tingling, weakness and numbness of the hands and fingers (except for the pinky).

The cause of carpal tunnel syndrome in an individual cannot always be determined. The condition is far more prominent in women, which could be due to their generally smaller carpal tunnels. Some people simply inherit the condition, while in other cases carpal tunnel syndrome can be the result of other problems such as an injury, rheumatoid arthritis or hypothyroidism.

Often the treatment regimen advised by doctors is aimed at management of the symptoms, though surgery to release some of the pressure on the carpal tunnel is also an option. Rest and immobilization of the affected wrist(s) are usually recommended to alleviate the symptoms. Often people with the condition get relief by wearing a wrist brace at night or during certain activities to keep the wrist in a neutral position. In some situations, people with the condition may benefit from over the counter medications such as anti-inflammatories or diuretics as advised by a doctor. If another disease or condition is determined to be the root of the carpal tunnel syndrome, the underlying problem will likely be treated. For symptoms that are long lasting and lifestyle prohibitive, surgery may be recommended to permanently relieve the pressure on the median nerve. The surgery for carpal tunnel syndrome is very common and relatively non-invasive.

Experiencing some of the described symptoms does not necessarily indicate that you have carpal tunnel syndrome. Something other than carpal tunnel syndrome could be causing the symptoms, or a treatable underlying problem could be contributing to carpal tunnel syndrome symptoms. Proper diagnosis is critical, and early diagnosis is ideal. A doctor can perform tests to determine whether a patient needs to be treated for carpal tunnel syndrome. Consulting with a medical professional is advisable for anyone who is experiencing any of these symptoms.

Note: This information is not intended to supplement or replace advice from a medical professional, or to diagnose or treat any condition.

About MMAR Medical Group: a supplier of orthopedic medical products including a wide selection of braces and supports. To find a quality hinged knee brace, wrist brace, lumbar brace or other quality brace, please visit www.mmarmedical.com.