Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) occurs when the median nerve, which goes through the forearm to the palm of the hand, is compressed or tightened at the wrist.

The median nerve controls the sensation of the palm area and carries impulses to the small muscles of the hand that allow the fingers and thumb to move. The carpal tunnel (the narrow and rigid tunnel where bones and ligaments pass through to the base of the hand) include the median nerve and the tendons.

Sometimes, the thickness of the tendons due to irritation or swelling of the tendons, restricts the volume of the carpal tunnel and causes a compression of the median nerve. The consequences may be pain, weakness or numbness in the hand and wrist which then radiates throughout the arm.

Symptoms

CTS is often worse at night and involve most of the hand. Numbness, tingling or burning may be felt and symptoms may even spread to the forearm. In very serious cases, it can cause an intense, unbearable burning.

When symptoms get worse, patients starts feeling the tingling even during the day. Another common symptoms is the weakness in tightening the fist with your fingers, grasping small objects or performing other manual activities, due to lack of gripping force. Some patients also become unable to feel heat and cold through touch.

Risk factors

Women are three times more likely to have CTS than men, this may be related to the size of the carpal tunnel, much smaller in women than in men.

Carpal tunnel syndrome is also associated with

• pregnancy
• diabetes
• rheumatoid arthritis
• thyroid diseases

There are few clinical data showing that over usage of the hand and wrist during sports or work activities can cause irritations such as bursitis and tendonitis.

Diagnosis and Osteopathic treatment

I consider really important a prompt diagnosis, at early stages, to avoid permanent damage to the median nerve. This would also prevent chronic pain mechanisms to set up. A physical examination of the hands, arms, shoulders and neck can help to determine if the patient’s symptoms are related to daily activities or a basic disease.

The osteopathic assessment is not limited to the dysfunctions at the wrist level but instead examines the entire upper limb and the cervical area (where the median nerves comes from). Researches have shown that joint’s dysfunction of the upper limb are commonly present in people suffering from CTS. The treatment of these, associated with the specific treatment of the wrist leads to the remission of symptoms in about a month.

The osteopathic approach is not intended as a substitute for conventional medical therapy but rather a help that leads to speed up the healing process and reduces the risk of recurrence.

What to do next to get treatment for carpal tunnel syndrome

If you think you are suffering from any of the above conditions or anything else, please contact me in clinic at this link for advice and to book an appointment.