Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
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Carpal tunnel syndrome has gained a lot of attention over the past
decade. Some say it is a sign of our technology-based society because so
many patients complaining of the syndrome found that it resulted from
constant computer use. However, this syndrome can result from many
exercises in which the hand or wrist is over-used. Understanding the
condition, how it progresses, and what the healing process is like will
help in avoiding the condition or in assisting with the treatment process.
The carpal tunnel is a passageway through the wrist that protects the
nerves and tendons that extend into the hand. The median nerve, a nerve
is both motor and sensory, within the carpal tunnel is very close to
nine tendons. When the tissues that which make up the tunnel become
inflamed or swollen, or if one or more of the tendons becomes injured,
the median nerve is compressed. This compression of the median nerve
within the carpal tunnel produces numbness in the thumb and the second,
third, and radial half of the fourth fingers. In some cases the muscles
of the thumb may even waste away oratrophy.(1 <#fn107294>)
Sometimes the nerve becomes entrapped because of reasons that may not
relate to overuse. It could be the result of diabetes, arthritis, or
hypothyroidism. However, patients with carpal tunnel syndrome secondary
to these diseases represent a very small percentage of total cases. It
also may occur during pregnancy as a result of weight gain and fluid
retention, and may additionally be associated with edema or trauma.(2
<#fn112193>)
The healthcare professional will usually give a diagnosis of Carpal
Tunnel Syndrome when having the patient touch their two flexed wrists
together results in numbness (Phalen?s sign) or there is numbness when
thumbing the palm of the hand (Tinel?s sign).
About the Author
Footnotes Back to Top <#top>
^1 Cush JJ, Lipsky PE. Approach to Articular and Musculoskeletal
disorders. In: Fauci AS, Braunwald E, Isselbacher KJ, et al. eds.
Harrison?s Principles of Internal Medicine 14th ed. New York:
McGraw-Hill; 1998:1933.
^2 Bader AM. The High-Risk Obstetric Patient Neurologic and
Neuromuscular Disease in the Obstetric Patient. Anesthesiology Clinics
of North America Volume 16, Number 2. Jun1998.
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