22/05/2022
Are you suffering from pain and weakness in your hands???? Then get rid of it fast......., This condition may develop due to carpal tunnel syndrome.
what is Carpal tunnel syndrome????
Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is a common condition that causes numbness, tingling, weakness and pain in the hand and forearm. The condition occurs when one of the major nerves to the hand — the median nerve — is squeezed or compressed as it travels through the wrist. The carpal tunnel is a narrow passageway surrounded by bones and ligaments on the palm side of the hand.
Symptoms:
• Numbness/tingling/burning/pain in hand and fingers( Paresthesia)
• Hand weakness (This may be due to the numbness in the hand or weakness of the thumb's pinching muscles, which are also controlled by the median nerve).
• Clumsiness (Hypoesthesia) decrease in normal sensation in hand and fingers.
• Dropping things (Patient may experience weakness in the hand and drop objects).
Causes
• Mostly Carpal tunnel syndrome is caused by pressure on the median nerve but
Anything that squeezes or irritates the median nerve in the carpal tunnel space may lead to carpal tunnel syndrome.
• A wrist fracture can narrow the carpal tunnel and irritate the nerve.
• Repetitive motions, like typing, or any wrist movements
• Swelling and inflammation caused by rheumatoid arthritis can also leads to Carpal tunnel Syndrome.
• Many times, there is no single cause of carpal tunnel syndrome, CTS patient may have history of hypothyroidism, Pregnancy, obesity, rheumatoid arthritis, and diabetes, these conditions can also leads to CTS.
How to diagnose CTS?
• Physical therapist or Doctor will clinically examine the patient and perform some special tests which are
Tinel’s Sign
• The physical therapist or Doctor will tap or press on the median nerve in wrist with a reflex hammer. If patients’s fingers tingle or if he or she feels an electric-shock-like sensation, the test is positive.
Phalen’s Maneuver
The Phalen test is performed by asking the patient to place both elbows on a table while keeping both forearms vertical and flexing both wrists at 90 degrees for 60 seconds. A positive test is defined as the occurrence of pain or Paresthesia in at least one finger innervated by the median nerve.
Some time Patient may also needs ,
• X-rays, ultrasounds, or MRI
• Electromyogram
• Nerve conduction studies
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Treatment
Treatment will depend on symptoms and condition of patient. Patient might need:
• Lifestyle changes. If repetitive motion is causing your symptoms, take breaks more often or do a bit less of the activity that’s causing you pain.
• Physical therapy Exercises. Stretching , strengthening and Nerve gliding exercises can help the nerve move better within carpal tunnel.
• Immobilization. Your Physical therapist may tell you to wear a splint to keep your wrist from moving and to lessen pressure on your nerves. You may wear one at night to help get rid of that numbness or tingling feeling. This can help you sleep better and rest your median nerve.
• Medication. If symptoms persist you may need anti-inflammatory drugs or steroid shots to curb swelling.
• Surgery. If none of those treatments works, you might have an operation called carpal tunnel release that increases the size of the tunnel and eases the pressure on your nerve.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Prevention
To avoid carpal tunnel syndrome, try to:
• Keep your wrists straight.
• Use a splint or brace that helps keep your wrist in a neutral position.
• Avoid flexing and extending your wrists over and over again.
• Keep your hands warm.
• Take breaks whenever you can.
• Put your hands and wrists in the right position while you work.
What happens to carpal tunnel if left untreated?
If left untreated, carpal tunnel syndrome can lead to weakness and lack of coordination in your fingers and thumb
Book your appointment
0318-4044493
DR.HAFSA
CONSULTANT PHYSIOTHERAPIST
