If you’re experiencing pain in your wrist, you might have carpal tunnel syndrome. This hand condition is extremely common, with symptoms of wrist pain, tingling, numbness and weakness. To make the pain go away, your healthcare provider may recommend treatments such as wearing a splint, physical therapy, or even surgery if required.
Where is the Carpal Tunnel Located?
The carpal tunnel is a narrow passageway in your wrist and is estimated to be an inch wide. It is built by the carpal bones towards the bottom of the wrist and the transverse carpal ligament which is across the top part of the wrist. This median nerve is responsible for producing sensory and motor skills and providing it to the thumb and middle fingers.
The carpal tunnel syndrome is when something pressurizes or irritates the median nerve running through your carpal tunnel. The median nerve is responsible for the movement in your forearm and most of your fingers and hands. If it experiences any damage or pressure, it may overburden or send incorrect feelings to your hand and wrist. Therefore, you must speak to a healthcare provider if you’re experiencing any pain, numbness, or tingling in your hands and wrists. While carpal tunnel syndrome usually gets better with treatment, it may cause permanent damage if not treated promptly.
What Causes Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?
When there is extra pressure on the median nerve, it causes carpal tunnel syndrome. While the carpal tunnel accommodates the parts passing through, it may face difficulty if one part of the wrist is swollen or damaged. In this scenario, it applies pressure to the other tissue around it and your median nerve as well.
- Repetitive strain injuries
- Arthritis
- Sprains
- Wrist fractures (broken wrist bones)
- Ganglion cysts
What are the Symptoms of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?
People suffering from carpal tunnel syndrome may complain of the following symptoms:
- Tingling and numbness: Tingling and numbness can happen in the fingers or hand. Typically, all fingers of the hand—the thumb, index, middle, and ring fingers—are impacted, excluding the little finger. You might experience a sensation resembling an electric shock in these fingers. These symptoms frequently arise while gripping a steering wheel, phone, or newspaper, or might even disturb your sleep.
The sensation can also extend from the wrist up the arm. Many individuals shake their hands out in an attempt to reduce their symptoms. The numbness may turn into a constant experience as time passes by.
- Weakness: Individuals with carpal tunnel syndrome may feel weakness in the hand and may let go of objects. This could be the result of numbness or the weakness of the thumb’s pinching muscles, which are also governed by the median nerve.
What are the Risk Factors of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?
Several studies indicate that Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is extremely common in India, affecting over 3.5% of the general population. Anyone can develop the syndrome; however, some people are more prone, including:
- Individuals who perform repetitive actions with their hands and wrists as a part of their occupation (such as swinging a hammer, for instance)
- Individuals who operate power tools that cause vibrations (such as drills or jackhammers)
- Pregnant Women
- Those AFABs (Assigned Female at Birth)
- Adults older than 40 years
- Individuals whose family members have had carpal tunnel syndrome (either genetic or transmitted through generations in families)
Certain health conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis, gout, hyperthyroidism, diabetes, obesity, and amyloidosis, make you more prone to carpal tunnel syndrome.
When to Contact a Doctor?
Suppose you have symptoms similar to the ones mentioned above and have difficulty in your routine activities and sleep patterns. In that case, seeing a healthcare provider before any permanent nerve and muscle damage is important.