by Norma Chew

Created on: March 02, 2009

Carpel Tunnel Syndrome is a common entrapment neuropathy associated with compression of the median nerve within the wrist. This pressure on the median nerve causes numbness, pain, tingling and eventually weakness in the affected hand.

Symptoms of Carpel Tunnel

Carpel tunnel symptoms appear gradually. At first there is the feeling of burning, itching, tingling and numbness in the palm of the hand, fingers and thumb.

Later there is pain that radiates from the wrist, up the arm and into the shoulder.

As the condition progresses the pain becomes excruciating and it usually comes on at nights waking you from your sleep. This is because while sleeping you may bend your wrist increasing the pressure on the median nerve. Eventually weakness in your hand occurs, along with weakness in your grip and a tendency for you to drop things.

Causes of Carpel Tunnel Syndrome.

Pressure, compression or trauma to the median nerve are the primary causes of carpel tunnel.

Other factors that will result in this condition are:

A person with a small wrist could be predisposed to carpel tunnel due to a narrow carpel tunnel space. Women are three times more at risk to develop carpel tunnel syndrome than men because women have smaller carpel tunnel.

Genetically one can be predisposed to developing carpel tunnel syndrome.

Hormonal disorders such as diabetes, hypothyroidism and menopause and

over activity of the pituitary gland.

Rheumatoid arthritis.

Retention of fluids during pregnancy.

Repetitive use of the wrist such as flexing and extending like in the repetitive use of a chain saw or clippers.

Obesity can be a contributing factor to carpel tunnel syndrome.

Work related repetitive activities, for example, long hours of typing, computer work, being in a certain posture for long periods of time, and repetitive grasping can lead to carpel tunnel syndrome.

According to Wikipedia Encyclopedia, "Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has adopted rules and regulations regarding cumulative trauma disorders.

Risk factors of repetitive task, force, posture, vibration have been cited. However, the American Society for Surgery of the Hand (ASSH) has issued a statement that the current literature does not support a causal relationship between specific work activities and the development of diseases such as carpel tunnel syndrome.

Diagnosis

A diagnosis will be made based on the patient's clinical history, physical examination and nerve testing.

Treatment

Fortunately your physician can treat this condition, because carpel tunnel syndrome does not go away on its own and it gets progressively worse without treatment.

Treatment will be done based on the stage of the carpel tunnel syndrome. That is; whether it is mild, moderate or severe.

Mild Stage

Modification of the activities that are aggravating the condition.

Wearing a removable wrist brace.

Taking anti-inflammatory medications as prescribed to relieve any swelling that may be compressing the median nerve.

Moderate Stage

In the moderate stage cortisone injected into the carpel tunnel usually relieves the symptoms.

Severe Stage

In the severe stage surgical intervention is the approach. This must be done early to avoid

permanent damage to the nerve and muscles of the affected hand. The procedure is called Carpel Tunnel Release which is done to release the entrapment of the median nerve.

The good news about carpel tunnel syndrome is that once the proper treatment is administered and healing takes place the pain, tingling, numbness and discomfort will be resolved.

For more information visit: American Society for Surgery of the Hand.
www.assh.org
WebMD

Wikipedia Encyclopedia

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