Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

History• As late as 1950 , only twelve patients with operative

release of the transverse carpal ligament for idiopathic carpal tunnel syndrome had been reported.

• During the first half of the 20th century, most patients with carpal tunnel syndrome were diagnosed as having compression of either the brachial plexus or thenar nerve motor branch of the median nerve.

Causes• Bound by bones and ligaments, the carpal tunnel is a narrow

passageway — about as big around as your thumb — located on the palm side of your wrist.

• This tunnel protects a main nerve to your hand and nine tendons that bend your fingers.

• The tendon’s which are on your hand are filled with fluid filled sheath that help’s them glide smoothly during movement.

• During hand repetitive hand motions like typing, the tendons become irritated causing swelling and inflammation within the sheath.

• Since the carpal tunnel is made up of bones and ligaments it cannot expand to accommodate the swelling , this causes the nerves of the hand to become pinched resulting in pain or numbness in the fingers

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Untreated carpal tunnel syndrome

Incidence & Risk Factors

• Carpal tunnel syndrome is most common in people who perform repetitive motions of the hand and wrist, such as

• Typing on a computer keyboard (most common)

• Writing

• Playing Some Instruments (piano, guitar, violin, drums ETC.)

• Playing sports (such as racquetball or handball)

• Driving & Painting

Areas Affected

• Carpal tunnel syndrome affect’s your hand and your wrist, it causes numbness or tingling and also pain in your hand’s.

Symptoms• Clumsiness of the hand when gripping objects

• Numbness or tingling in the thumb and next two or three fingers of one or both hands

• Numbness or tingling of the palm of the hand

• Pain in the wrist or hand in one or both hands

• Problems with fine finger movements (coordination) in one or both hands

• Weak grip or difficulty carrying bags (a common complaint)

• Weakness in one or both hands

Treatments

• A patient may try wearing a splint during the day or night for several weeks and also avoid sleeping on his/her wrist.

• Medication’s are also used to treat this syndrome, including nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen or naproxen.

• Corticosteroid injections, given into the carpal tunnel area, may relieve symptoms for a period of time.

• Limiting movement, If possible, the patient should avoid activities at work or home that may aggravate the syndrome.

• The affected hand and wrist should be rested for 2 - 6 weeks.

• Surgery, if the nerve compression continues occurring and the symptom’s worsen.

Interesting Fact’s

• Carpal tunnel syndrome has also been linked to professional musicians.

• The median nerve does not extend to the pinky . If you have the syndrome, your pinky will not be tingly or numb and you should be able to move it without experiencing pain.

• This condition occurs most often in people 30 to 60 years old, and is more common in women than men.

References

• Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Treatmentshttp://www.umm.edu/patiented/articles/what_nonsurgical_treatments_carpal_tunnel_syndrome_000034_8.htm#ixzz2CM3TDBHW

• Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Factshttp://www.ehow.com/facts_4568862_carpal-tunnel-syndrome.html

• Images

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001469/figure/A000433.B1081/?report=objectonly• Informationhttp://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001469/

• More Infohttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carpal_tunnel_syndrome

• Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Historyhttp://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/3283274