Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is caused by pressure on the median nerve in the carpal tunnel.
The tunnel is two and a half centimeters wide. Surrounded by bones on one side and the tendons on the other side. volary it is covered with a strong belt is the transverse carpal ligament.
Symptoms:
Numbness and tingling.
A feeling of an electric current passing in the fingers with the little pinky finger, and the symptoms may worsen to become continuous until bedtime.
Weakness of the fist and falling of things from the hand. We transfer this feeling from your wrist to your arm. These symptoms usually occur while grabbing a steering wheel, phone, or newspaper, or they may wake you from sleep.
Reasons:
In the case of inflammation, the tissues surrounding the nerve are swollen and it is called The synovial membrane, which is responsible for the viscosity, to facilitate the movement of the ligaments. The enlargement of the synovium and its increase in size causes pressure on the nerve and leads to symptoms.
Anything that compresses or excites the median nerve in the carpal tunnel area may lead to carpal tunnel syndrome. A fractured wrist may cause narrowing of the carpal tunnel and irritation of nerves, such as swelling and inflammation from rheumatoid arthritis.
Risk factors:
Many things contribute to the development of the disease. Studies show that women and the elderly are more likely to develop carpal tunnel syndrome.
There are also several other factors that can cause carpal tunnel congestion:
Heredity:
The carpal tunnel is simply smaller in some people. This attempt could run in families.
Hand use: Repeating the same hand movements over an extended period of time can aggravate the tendons and cause swelling in the tunnel.
Obesity and some cancer drugs: risk factors for carpal tunnel syndrome.
Pregnancy: Hormonal changes during pregnancy can cause water retention and swelling.
Health conditions: Diabetic rheumatoid arthritis and thyroid dysfunction are medical conditions that can cause increased swelling and pressure on a nerve.
Protection:
Reducing the use of the hand forcefully and for a long time.
Rest the wrist and do exercises for frequent times.
Use the correct posture upright posture: avoid bending your wrist too much up or down. Getting the wrist in a straight, relaxed position is the best position.
- Sitting at a desk in a position that prevents pressure on the shoulders and neck.
Diagnosis:
After the clinical examination, an x-ray is taken to detect any previous injury to the wrist.
Electromyography.
Nerve conduction study.
Treatment:
- Prevention is better than cure!
- A cast to stabilize the wrist
- Anti-inflammatory medicines
- Cortisone injection
- Natural therapy.
- Laser and ultrasound gives excellent results for mild and moderate conditions
Surgical treatment:
Carpal Tunnel decompression surgery – It is performed by making an incision in the palm of the hand, often under local anesthesia, and by cutting the transverse carpal ligament.
Requirements:
Most patients recover immediately after the operation, and the healing process lasts for a few weeks. In some severe or neglected cases, symptoms such as tingling and numbness may last for months, or partial improvement may occur. Physical therapy and exercises help and speed up your rehabilitation.
Authored by – Dr. Ashraf Yousef, MBBCH, MSc, MD, PhD (Russia), MRCPS (Glasgow)
