Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is a common diagnosis for millions of people every year. This post will be explaining the things you should know about treatment for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.
So What is the Carpal Tunnel?
The Carpal Tunnel is located in the front of your wrist and is made out of carpal bones and the transverse carpal ligament. Think about the carpal bones which sit in the back of your hand as the foundation of a house and the transverse carpal ligament is the roof of the house. Inside the house there are 9 tendons plus the median nerve that cross right through the Carpal Tunnel. The median nerve is the nerve that provides sensory and motor branches to the hand.
The median nerve provides sensory information to the thumb, index, middle, and half of the ring finger. Also provides motor branches to the thinner eminence which is the padding below your thumb in the 1st and 2nd lumbrical muscles of your hand.
So What Causes You To Have Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is caused by repetitive movement of the wrist and fingers. Repetitive forceful gripping and repetitive exposure to vibrating tools such as a Jack Hammer or a Power Drill. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome can also be caused by surgery, for example surgery to address wrist fractures. Also blunt trauma can commonly cause it such as falling down with an outstretched hand to break the fall.
Can also be caused by thyroid disease, pregnancy, diabetes, etc.
Internally What Happens When You Get Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?
The variety of causes listed above can cause the Median Nerve to get enlarged affecting the blood flow and decreasing the space through which the nerve crosses and/or increasing the swelling to the areas surrounding the median nerve.
Symptoms of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?
The most common symptoms I have seen from my patients are numbness and tingling, especially of the thumb, index, and half of the ring fingers. Some clients complain of hand pain and clumsiness. Such that they drop items from their hand.
Also some experience weakness, such that they have problems gripping and opening jars and have difficulty performing fine motor skills such as tying their shoes laces or manipulating a key to open the door lock.
What is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Treatment Like?
When patients come in I perform a full evaluation first along with a full medical history. Then I perform special tests to determine the possible root cause of the carpal tunnel syndrome.
Then I can perform an orthotic recommendation on how to modify your daily activities to decrease the symptoms and prevent reoccurrence.
Then we go over exercises that aid in recovery of the hand and helps alleviate the symptoms.
Over multiple sessions I measure the improvement and make modifications to the treatment until my patient recovers.
If you have been diagnosed with Carpal Tunnel and have questions always feel free to Contact Us.