by Shawna Blake

Created on: April 27, 2008

With any slight flick of the wrist you can feel a sharp pain wrench through your bones and cut you to the core. It isn't a throbbing pain, and it isn't a dull ache; it is a sharp deep, pinprick of a pain that is difficult to bear. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS)is a life and career ruiner, and it is not as preventative as we would like to think. There is a nerve that connects from your forearm to your wrist, which is where the pain will occur. This nerve, over time may get inflamed, pinched, tightened, or compressed. In addition to the severe pain that CTS causes, you may experience numbness, and lose strength in your hand, or your grip will loosen. While there is no definitive way to prevent the syndrome, it can be treated, and it can be caught at a stage early enough to be repaired.

~Who gets it.
Oddly enough, it is reported that women are affected by it as much as three times more than men are. Having known many people (both men as well as women) that have actually been through this painful physical illness, I have been aware of it and it's affects for quite some time. Jobs that have alot of the same motions, where you move your hand, arm or wrist in the same manner over and over for years are the most common of sufferers. Repetitive motion will cause the nerve to flare up, and over time it gets worse. Whether you type for a living, or pack goods, or assemble parts, all of these things that you do constantly will add to the problem. Another simple way to come into contact with CTS is if your nerve is smaller than it normally should be, by birth. CTS is far more common between the ages of 30 and 50 years, especially to those that have physically demanding jobs.

~Can you prevent it?
It can not be stopped, at least there has not been a way proven to do so, but it can be halted. Many people can be fit with a brace to wear upon their wrist. This would be helpful either prior to any surgical procedures, or after them. Many people find that shots of cortisone will alleviate the pain, but fail to slow any nerve damage that may result. Some may be prescribed anti-inflammatory medication, but this will not stop the process either. A complete cessation of any activities that do cause the illness will stop the progression of it. Short of quitting your job, though, you might find that these options may be next to impossible.

~How to fix it.
If your personal physician deems it necessary for you to do so, you will have surgery to correct it. The surgery will be the Carpal Tunnel

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