What is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?

Answer 1

many things, keying on a PC for one, using the same repetitive motion for another, writing long hand, lifting heavy objects too many times, these are just a few examples.

Additionally, while repetitive motion is often thought to cause Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, the actual cause is usually in muscles. The muscles are often in your lower arm but can be as far away as your chest or neck!

Working with good posture and keeping your wrists straight (rather than tilting or bending it) will help prevent and correct carpal tunnel symptoms.

Also, being deficient in B-vitamins can cause Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.

Answer 2

Muscles and bones in the extremities are enclosed within a fascia. When some injury occurs let us say a crush injury in the forearm this leads to Edema/swellings. Further leading in an increase in pressure in the injured forearm. This alters the blood supply distally to the part of injury. In other words compression occurs and as in this case the median nerve will most likely be compressed too.

So when the pressure increases above than 40 mm hg then carpel tunnel syndrome is said to occur.

Impending signs of CTS are,

High risk injuries.

Pain which is not relieved by the usuall doses of analgesics.

Numbers and parathesia when a nerve is compressed.

Some clinical tests we do to detect CST are;

Phalen's maneuver is performed by flexing the wrist gently as far as possible, then holding this position and awaiting symptoms.[34] A positive test is one that results in numbness in the median nerve distribution when holding the wrist in acute flexion position within 60 seconds.

Tinel's sign, a classic, though less sensitive test, is a way to detect irritated nerves. Tinel's is performed by lightly tapping the skin over the flexor retinaculum to elicit a sensation of tingling or "pins and needles" in the nerve distribution.

Durkan test, carpal compression test, or applying firm pressure to the palm over the nerve for up to 30 seconds to elicit symptoms has also been proposed.

Treatment - Early reduction of the pressure that is being built inside.

If the patient is not that symptomatic then we can administer local corticosteroid injections. Or in case of an emergency we do a faciotomty. i.e. we make linear incisions on the lateral aspects of the forearm.

Answer 3

The median nerve runs through the middle of the wrist area called the carpal tunnel. If this nerve is compressed or pinched, then over a period time it can start to cause numbness and tingling in the first 3 fingers of your hand. If the wrist is crimped or bent at night, like when sleeping, this can cause even more pressure on this nerve. This can cause the person to wake up at night or in the morning with pain,numbness and tingling in the hands and fingers. Fortunately, night splints are made especially for this purpose, and can often reduce or eleminate night or morning symptoms.

Answer 4

There can be many causes as you can research from the link below from Diabetes, obesity, pregnancy... to overuseage. But the end result is about the same: there is pressure or compression on the median nerve

Answer 5

The carpal tunnel is formed by the carpal (wrist) bones and a band that runs across the inside (palm side) of the wrist. Through the tunnel runs the ligaments that control your fingers and wrist. When there is swelling of the tendons pressure builds up in the tunnel and crushes a nerve (the median nerve) that runs through it producing pain in the hand.

Answer 6

Muscles and bones in the extremities are enclosed within a fascia. When some injury occurs let us say a crush injury in the forearm this leads to Edema/swellings. Further leading in an increase in pressure in the injured forearm. This alters the blood supply distally to the part of injury. In other words compression occurs and as in this case the median nerve will most likely be compressed too. So when the pressure increases above than 40 mm hg then carpel tunnel syndrome is said to occur. Impending signs of CTS are, High risk injuries. Pain which is not relieved by the usuall doses of analgesics. Numbers and parathesia when a nerve is compressed. Some clinical tests we do to detect CST are; Phalen's maneuver is performed by flexing the wrist gently as far as possible, then holding this position and awaiting symptoms.[34] A positive test is one that results in numbness in the median nerve distribution when holding the wrist in acute flexion position within 60 seconds. Tinel's sign, a classic, though less sensitive test, is a way to detect irritated nerves. Tinel's is performed by lightly tapping the skin over the flexor retinaculum to elicit a sensation of tingling or "pins and needles" in the nerve distribution. Durkan test, carpal compression test, or applying firm pressure to the palm over the nerve for up to 30 seconds to elicit symptoms has also been proposed. Treatment - Early reduction of the pressure that is being built inside. If the patient is not that symptomatic then we can administer local corticosteroid injections. Or in case of an emergency we do a faciotomty. i.e. we make linear incisions on the lateral aspects of the forearm.

Answer 7

Carpal tunnel syndrome can certainly be associated with many annoying signs that are caused by a closing and compressing of the median nerve, which traverses through the carpal tunnel. The symptom that is often experienced with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome includes numbness in the hands, which directly relates to the related motor sensory. Basically, secondary symptoms include paresthesias, pain, and weakness, tingling limbs, and tingling in the shoulders and neck; normally these issues are far worse at night because sleeping positions contribute to all of the various symptoms.

In dealing with the pain that comes with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, some very useful exercises include stretching of the fingers, hands, and wrists. If the exercises are carried out effectively, pain and numbness can be diminished. Besides following the standard exercises and stretches, perhaps utilizing night splints and corticosteroid injections can help with the effects of the condition. Most causes of the disease do not have any known specificity other than perhaps a genetic connection.

Throughout the last several hundred years, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome has made quite a name for itself, and most of the occurrences have taken place during World War II. Moreover, many individuals that had been dealing with this issue in the mid 1800’s had been noted in all kinds of literature that related to surgical issues. It was perhaps 1854 when Sir James Paget first noticed median nerve compression, and shortly thereafter, many additional cases began to pop up.

The carpal tunnel area is located in a compartment at the bottom or base of the wrist, and nine flexors in addition to the median nerve find their way through the tunnel that is imbedded in bones forming an arch of sorts. Basically, these nerves provide the proper functionality and movement to a few of the fingers. The wrist and finger flexor muscles begin in the forearm and attach themselves to various fixtures of the fingers and thumb. When it comes to the median nerve, it can often be compressed, which will certainly decrease the size of the canal. In addition, the contents, namely the lubrication and swelling, surround the flexor tendons. So simply by flexing the wrist all the way to ninety degrees causes a serious decrease to the canal size.

Answer 8

That computer use is almost never a cause of carpal tunnel syndrome.