Carpal tunnel syndrome is one of the most common complaints, especially today when most people spend long periods in front of their computers. So it's important to know the symptoms of carpal tunnel.
With this in mind, this article presents all the symptoms of carpal tunnel that you need to be aware of, so you know when to consult a physiotherapist. It also looks at the causes of the syndrome and possible treatments.
What is carpal tunnel syndrome?
This condition causes excessive pressure on the median nerve. The median nerve, as far as the hands are concerned, gives movement to the thumb and the other three fingers, and is connected to the wrist.
The area of the wrist where the median nerve connects to the hand is known as the carpal tunnel. When it becomes inflamed, carpal tunnel syndrome develops. It's a condition that affects a large number of people, and can appear at any time in life, even in children.
Carpal tunnel symptoms
Carpal tunnel symptoms are similar in all sufferers, but some symptoms may appear without the others. Here are the most common symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome.
First of all, if you suffer from carpal tunnel, you're likely to feel weakness in one of your hands and have difficulty grasping or performing simple motor gestures.
Next, you feel pain in the wrist, and in some cases, this can extend from the fingers to the shoulder.
In addition, most patients report numbness or tingling in the fingers associated with carpal tunnel. Some also describe it as a sensation of pins and needles in the fingertips.
Another sign of carpal tunnel syndrome is a sensation of electricity running through your hand and up your arm.
It's important to note that all carpal tunnel symptoms appear gradually, not suddenly. It is therefore different from a sprain, where pain occurs immediately after a specific activity.
Causes of carpal tunnel syndrome
The causes of carpal tunnel syndrome are varied, and all can contribute to the condition.
However, the most common cause today is the repetitive movements associated with using a cell phone or keyboard. As the vast majority of people constantly work with electronic devices, they wear out their limbs.
If you play sports that frequently use your hands, such as tennis or volleyball, these can also lead to carpal tunnel syndrome in the long term.
If you have a joint or bone disease such as arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis or osteoarthritis, you are more likely to suffer from this condition.
Other health conditions also increase the risk, such as the metabolic and hormonal changes of pregnancy, menopause or thyroid disease.
Treatments for carpal tunnel syndrome
Treatments for carpal tunnel syndrome fall into two broad categories: non-invasive and surgical.
For non-surgical treatments, we recommend that you first consult a physiotherapist, and if you live in the Canadian region, it's a good idea to join theCanadian Physiotherapy Association.
Once you have consulted a physiotherapist, you may be advised to wear a splint to reduce the pressure on your wrist, or have your hands massaged. They may also advise you to change your work equipment for more ergonomic versions.
More advanced physiotherapy clinics may recommend modern, highly effective treatments such as osteopathic manual therapy or kinesiology.
Your doctor may also prescribe anti-inflammatory medication to relieve pain and improve the condition of your wrist.
Surgical treatments are generally reserved for very advanced cases. These procedures are very delicate and are only performed if non-invasive treatments fail.
We hope this article will help you understand the symptoms of carpal tunnel. Finally, if you have already noticed these symptoms, we recommend that you consult a physiotherapist in Canada.
