According to the research, carpal tunnel syndrome is a common condition that affects around 3 out of every 1000 people every year in the US. Carpal tunnel syndrome is when the median nerve is compressed as it passes through the carpal tunnel. The median nerve helps move your forearm and gives most of your fingers and hands feeling. It is a health condition that causes numbness, tingling, pain, and weakness in your hand and wrist. If you experience the condition, you may feel uncomfortable around your wrists, hands, and fingers. It may feel like pinpricks or hands, wrists, and fingers falling asleep. It may also feel like no sensation along with other symptoms such as pain. Pain can be sharp, constant, or burning, making your grip weaker than a person without the condition. You may struggle to hold a pen or mug or perform the simplest tasks.
What are the Causes of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?
It may be common as anything that causes swelling or irritation can cause it
- Repetitive strain injuries.
- Arthritis.
- Sprains.
- Wrist fractures (broken wrist bones).
- Ganglion cysts.
Moreover, certain factors increase the risk of carpal tunnel syndrome, such as
- People with repetitive motions with their hands, such as using the computer. Even certain jobs like assembly lines, factory units, office jobs, telephone operators, construction workers, mechanical workers, musicians, hairstylists, etc., can repeatedly put strain on their hands, wrists, or fingers.
- Obesity
- Pregnant women
- Genetic heredity
- Even certain conditions, such as rheumatoid inflammation.
How is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Diagnosed, and Can it be Cured?
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is a progressive condition that worsens with time if not paid attention or treated. Sometimes, progressive conditions can be contained; however, early intervention helps cure or improve the outcome and quality. The patient’s carpal tunnel syndrome stage is mild, moderate, or severe, and a thorough assessment decides the course of treatment. Diagnosis is the first step in the process of recovery. We evaluate the patient’s medical history, family history, signs, or symptoms. The frequency, position and any usual or unusual patterns or positions that impact symptoms are of utmost importance. With physical examination, noticeable signs like swelling, pain, and numbness are figured out but do not forget signs or symptoms overlap and can also indicate other conditions. Our doctor and care team ensure imaging tests and thorough physical examination rule out all other possibilities. FORM Hand Therapy provides tailored treatment plans for each patient that work best for patients. Both invasive and non-invasive techniques can be worked around based on the patient’s course of treatment. Our patient’s comfort and recovery matter the most to us, and we go to great lengths to achieve them. If you experience discomfort in your wrist and suspect you might have carpal tunnel syndrome, contact FORM Hand Therapy at (510) 350-3030 to schedule a consultation.
