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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Identifying Carpal Tunnel

Symptoms and Causes of a Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is an increasingly common problem, affecting between 4 and 10 million Americans, many of whom self diagnose their symptoms as something else. Since the symptoms of carpal tunnel are typically non-severe many of those suffering from CTS assume that their pain or suffering is temporary and due to some external condition.

In truth, many small signs may be indicative of Carpal Tunnel. Of course, it is important to get checked out by a physician in order to make sure that the symptoms are indeed causative of CTS and not another condition. As with most health issues, the sooner one identifies the root of the problem, the sooner it can be taken care of. With many patients, CTS can be remedied with the use of wrist supports and exercises, while more severe cases will require surgery.

Most symptoms of CTS begin as infrequent occurrences and progress gradually over a few weeks or months. In the beginning, pain may be subtle so many patients may not even notice until the symptom worsens over time.

Symptoms of Carpal Tunnel:

1. Numb Hands/ Numb Fingers: numbness usually affects the first four fingers (thumb - ring finger) and the palm; patients may lose the ability to sense heat or cold


2. Hand and/or Wrist Pain: one of the first symptoms, generally occurs on the palm side


3. Tingling Fingers: typically between the thumb and middle finger of the affected hand, sometimes also the ring finger; the fifth finger usually lacks these sensations


4. Weakness: may be unable to grasp items and have a tendency to drop things; loss of motor skills in hands


5. Swelling Sensation: patients may feel that their hands are swollen even if no swelling is visible


6. Arm Pain: hand or wrist pain may extend to the forearm/upper arm


7. Poor circulation: hands are cold while forearms/upper arms are warm; hands fall asleep often

Additional symptoms of CTS (which may also be linked to other health issues) include high blood pressure and sleeplessness. Of course, both of these may be pre-existing conditions and not indicative of a development in carpal tunnel syndrome.

Many people who suffer from CTS do so because of environmental factors – such as workspace issues and repetition of a specific motion, but for some the condition may be hereditary. For either situation, the issue is the same – the carpal tunnel has been compromised. In congenital cases, this typically means that the carpal tunnel is smaller than that of most people. In the case of external reasons, there are a few commonly identified practices that can lead to the onset of CTS. In either case, it is important to go to a doctor so he or she can assess the severity of your condition and help decide if wrist supports or a hand splint may aid your recovery or if surgery may be the answer.

Causes of Carpal Tunnel:

1. Sprains/Fracture


2. Over activity of the pituitary gland


3. Hypothyroidism


4. Rheumatoid arthritis


5. Work stress


6. Fluid retention in pregnancy/menopause


7. Repeated use of high-force vibrating hand tools

Many other causes of CTS are known, so be sure to consult a physician to make a correct diagnosis of your condition.

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: MMAR Medical Group Inc. is a supplier of medical products including a wide selection of braces and supports and a full line of diabetic shoes. For quality wrist and back braces, 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.