Carpal Tunnel: What Is Carpal Tunnel and How Is It Treated?
Quick, think about America’s most significant medical problems. The flu and heart disease may come to mind, and they should.
But 3.1% of adults aged 18-64 experience carpal tunnel syndrome every year. You should expect to have carpal tunnel problems at some point in your life, especially if you work a desk job. However, you can take action.
What is carpal tunnel syndrome, and where does it come from? What are the most common symptoms of the syndrome? How can you get treatment for it?
Answer these questions and you can fight against carpal tunnel syndrome in no time. Here is your quick guide.
The Basics of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Your median nerve runs down the front of your forearm into your hand. It helps you move your hand back and forth and flex your fingers.
The nerve lies inside the carpal tunnel, a narrow passageway through bones and ligaments. If your tunnel becomes compressed, you may develop carpal tunnel syndrome.
People who strain their hands and wrists are at high likelihood of developing the syndrome. Typing on a computer for long hours or carrying objects narrows the carpal tunnel and puts pressure on the median nerve.
People with a family history of the syndrome are also at higher risk for it.
Symptoms of Carpal Tunnel
Most people with carpal tunnel syndrome experience pain. It may feel like burning or tingling, and it can travel up the arm. One common cause of elbow pain is carpal tunnel syndrome, as pain shoots into the elbow and biceps.
You may struggle to hold items in your hands, especially small objects like pens that you hold with your fingertips. It may become hard to coordinate your fingers so you can button your clothes.
Symptoms may begin gradually for no apparent reason. As time goes on, the pain may become more intense.
Treatment for Carpal Tunnel
Anyone with symptoms of carpal tunnel should go to their doctor. Their doctor can conduct tests to see how their nerves are functioning and use an ultrasound to produce images of the carpal tunnel.
If you receive a diagnosis of the syndrome, you can start treatment right away. You may need to wear a brace so you don’t bend your wrist or apply pressure on your tunnel.
You should change your posture so you rest your arms without pushing them against a table.
If you experience chronic pain, you can take a drug like ibuprofen. But if you are not experiencing relief, you can receive a carpal tunnel release.
A doctor will make a small incision in the palm of your hand. They will then cut a ligament on the roof of your carpal tunnel, reducing pressure on your nerve.
This cut will not damage your mobility. The ligament will grow back together, but you will now have more space in your carpal tunnel.
The Essentials of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Carpal tunnel syndrome is no joke. It is very easy to pinch your median nerve, and you may be pinching it without knowing you are doing it.
When your median nerve becomes irritated, you may experience extreme pain and muscle weakness. It may become hard to work or hold objects.
You should rest your arms and wear a brace to protect your nerves from pressure. If that doesn’t work, you can have minor surgery on your hand.
Don’t hesitate to get carpal tunnel relief. Orthopaedic Specialists of Connecticut has more than 40 years of experience. Contact us today.