Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

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Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

What is carpal tunnel syndrome?

There is a space in the wrist called the carpal tunnel where the median nerve and nine tendons pass from the forearm into the hand. Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) occurs when pressure builds up from swelling in this tunnel and puts pressure on the nerve. When the pressure from the swelling becomes great enough to disturb the way the nerve works, numbness, tingling, and pain may be felt in the hand and fingers.

Causes of carpal tunnel syndrome

Pressure on the nerve can happen several ways: swelling of the lining of the flexor tendons, called tenosynovitis; joint dislocations, fractures, and arthritis can narrow the tunnel; and keeping the wrist bent for long periods of time can also be a contributing factor. Fluid retention during pregnancy can cause swelling in the tunnel and symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome, which often go away after delivery. Thyroid conditions, rheumatoid arthritis, and diabetes also can be associated with carpal tunnel syndrome.

When doing your work, it is very important to keep your wrist position as close to neutral as possible. When the wrist is neutral, you have the most space possible in the carpal tunnel. Any time you flex or extend your wrist, you decrease the size of the tunnel and placing unnecessary friction on the tendons and pressure on the median nerve.

It is important that you understand that even if you are just sitting at a computer all day, you are an athlete from the elbow down. You must warm up the muscles before exercising them or they will become inflamed and you will decrease the amount of space in the tunnel.

Signs and symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome

Symptoms include pain, numbness, tingling, or a combination of the three. The numbness or tingling most often takes place in the thumb, index, middle, and ring fingers. The symptoms usually are felt during the night but also may be noticed during daily activities such as driving or reading a newspaper. Patients sometimes notice they have a weaker grip, occasional clumsiness, and may drop things.