Carpal Tunnel

The Carpel Tunnel of the wrist is a tiny sheath area that allows nerves, tendons, and arteries to pass through.  When this tunnel becomes compressed it puts significant pressure on the median nerve causing a painful condition known as carpel tunnel syndrome.  The median nerve supplies the thumb, index finger, and the lateral second and third digits.  The symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome may include: numbness, tingling, weakness, muscle atrophy of the thumb, index finger, and adjacent two or three fingers of one or both hands.  Elbow extension may become painful when symptoms are exacerbated and patients may exhibit difficulty gripping objects and/or writing.

Treatments

Treatment includes a splint known as the “cock-up splint” which is worn at night and sometimes even the day, hot and cold compresses, and chiropractic care.  A very invasive approach is surgery in which they cut the tunnel to allow more room for the muscles, nerves, tendon, and arteries.  This surgery causes extreme scar tissue and ultimately leads to pain, immobility, and surgery failure.  Some conditions that cause or exacerbate carpel tunnel syndrome include:  diabetes, elevated blood pressure or hypertension, overweight & obesity, pregnancy, rheumatoid arthritis, kidney failure, and multiple myeloma.  Carpel tunnel syndrome can interfere with activities of daily living affecting quality of life.  Individuals most susceptible are painters, receptionists and typists, hairstylists, and anyone who repetitively overuses their hands and doesn’t support their wrist and fingers the way they should.