Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Pain, numbness and tingling in your hand may be from carpal tunnel syndrome.
Carpal tunnel syndrome is a medical condition that causes the median nerve in the wrist to become compressed. The median nerve and several tendons (flexor tendons that allow us to flex our fingers and wrist) run from the forearm to the hand through a small space in the wrist called the carpal tunnel, bound by bones (carpal bones) and ligaments.
The median nerve controls sensation on the palm side of the thumb, index finger, middle finger and half of the ring finger. The little finger is innervated by a different nerve. The muscles around the base of your thumb are also controlled by the median nerve.
View this video to learn more about carpal tunnel syndrome.
Carpal Tunnel Symptoms
In addition to symptoms of numbness, tingling and weakness in the wrist and hand, carpal tunnel syndrome can create electric shock sensations in the thumb, index and middle finger. Carpal tunnel pain can also travel up the arm toward the shoulder or between the elbow and the wrist as well. Carpal tunnel pain symptoms are usually gradual and can occur at any time.
As many people sleep with their wrists in the curled position, this can cause compression of the median nerve leading to night pain. Carpal tunnel pain symptoms can also occur during the day, especially when holding things in their hand (such as a phone, book, tools, driving) and can to be relieved by “shaking it out” or moving their hands.
These carpal tunnel pain symptoms may gradually become constant over time and cause additional problems such as dropping things more frequently. In severe cases, the muscles at the base of the thumb appear less full as they become weaker.
Carpal Tunnel Pain Causes
If left untreated, carpal tunnel syndrome can damage the median nerve and the muscles it innervates. There are various factors that can play a role in causing carpal tunnel syndrome.
- Wrist injuries or bone spurs can create extra pressure on the median nerve, severely narrowing the space in the carpel tunnel.
- Women are more prone to carpal tunnel syndrome simply because their carpal tunnel is generally smaller than in men. There also may be a hereditary component, as it can run in families.
- Chronic illnesses, such as diabetes and alcoholism increase your risk of median nerve damage. Inflammatory conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis, thyroid hormone imbalance or infections, can also cause inflammation in the carpal tunnel area causing pressure on the median nerve.
- Pregnancy, obesity, menopause and thyroid conditions can increase pressure on your median nerves due to increased pressure from fluid retention. This increases your risk for carpal tunnel syndrome. Generally, carpal tunnel syndrome during pregnancy usually resolves after the baby is delivered.
- Work factors may also play a role in median nerve irritation and damage. Examples include prolonged work on a computer with poor hand and wrist placement on the keyboard and mouse. Individuals who work frequently with vibrating tools or have repetitive flexing of the wrist during their work may also be at risk of getting carpal tunnel syndrome. It is hard to definitively say that these workplace factors can and will create carpal tunnel syndrome, but taking precautions and being aware of preventative measures can be important in preventing injury.
Carpal Tunnel Testing
To diagnose whether you have carpal tunnel syndrome, your clinic doctor will do a physical exam and inquire about your health and daily routine, as well as any recent activities that may have led to the pain in your wrist. Certain tests such as blood tests and nerve testing may be done by your clinic doctor to see if your median nerve is working properly and to check for any health problems that may be contributing to your symptoms.
Carpal Tunnel Treatments
If your carpal tunnel pain symptoms are mild, you may be able to treat carpal tunnel syndrome at home. Try refraining from activities that cause numbness and pain and rest your wrist between activities. Ice your wrist for 10-15 minutes every hour or two. Wearing a wrist splint at night and if possible, during the day, will also help keep your wrist in a neutral position, taking pressure off your median nerve.
More advanced symptoms may be relieved with a number of treatment options that help reduce pain from carpal tunnel syndrome, which include:
- Physical Therapy
- Steroid Injection
- Minimally Invasive Nerve Blocks
- Percutaneous Ultrasound-Guided Carpal Tunnel Release