Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Surgery in Sadashiv Peth, Pune
Also known as Median Nerve Compression, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is a condition that causes weakness, tingling, or numbness in the hands. It occurs because of the pressure on the median nerve.
The carpal tunnel is a narrow route surrounded by bones and ligaments on the palm side of the hand. This condition occurs due to the structure of the wrist, medical conditions, or repeated hand movements, such as typing. Timely and proper treatment can help provide relief from any numbness and tingling and restores the hand and wrist movement.
What Causes Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?
Carpal tunnel syndrome occurs because of the pressure that occurs on the median nerve. The median nerve is a nerve that passes through your forearm and the wrist. This nerve is responsible for providing sensation to your thumb and fingers on the palm side. It also helps with the nerve signals that are necessary for the motor function of the muscles present in the base of the thumb.
If there is any irritation on the median nerve or any pressure or squeezing, it can cause carpal tunnel syndrome. A wrist fracture, swelling, or inflammation due to rheumatoid arthritis, or a combination of reasons can be why you are suffering from carpal tunnel syndrome.
Repetitive movements like typing that you conduct over and over again can also lead to this syndrome.
When to See a Doctor?
You must see a doctor if you notice signs or symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome and they start to interfere with your day-to-day activities or sleep cycle. If you go too long without treatment, muscle or nerve damage can occur.
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What are the Symptoms of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?
Some of the most common symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome include;
- A tingling, numbness, or burning sensation in your palm, thumb, index, or middle finger
- Feeling weakness in your hands which interferes with holding things in your hands
- Feeling shock-like feeling in your fingers
- A tingling sensation that travels through your arms
In most cases what happens is that your fingers fall numb at night because of the way you hold them at night. So, you wake up with a tingling or numb feeling, which may even reach the shoulders. And, when you are holding something in your hands, such as reading a book, the symptoms may flare up.
At the beginning of the syndrome, the numbness may pass when you shake your hands. But as it progresses, you may also experience pain and muscle cramping.
How is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Diagnosed?
When you visit your doctor, he will go through your medical history and review the pattern of your symptoms. Therefore, if you start experiencing carpal symptoms, make sure you make a note of them as it will be helpful for your doctor to review them. A physical examination can also be conducted to check. Other diagnosis methods include;
- X-rays - X-rays of the affected wrists can help detect the condition
- Electromyography - During this test, tiny electric discharge produced in the muscles can be seen, which helps identify any damage
- Nerve conduction study - Here, two electrodes are tapped in the skin as the electrical impulses can show carpal tunnel by slowing them down
What is the Treatment for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?
One of the things you must adapt to combat carpal tunnel is to take frequent breaks while doing repeated hand movements and apply a cold pack to prevent swelling. Other treatment options that can be prescribed include;
- A splint to hold your wrists in place when you sleep
- Medications
- Corticosteroids
If the symptoms are too severe, surgery may be recommended by your doctor.
Finally, it is important to make sure that you don’t neglect any symptoms and visit your doctor instantly to ensure that you avoid the severity of the symptom.
Reference:
https://www.rxlist.com/quiz_carpal_tunnel_syndrome/faq.htm#faq-4232
https://www.webmd.com/pain-management/carpal-tunnel/carpal-tunnel-syndrome
If you don’t get treated immediately, decreased hand strength and weakness of your hands, including numbness or burning sensation can occur.
Yes, it is a treatable condition.
It mostly occurs at night.