Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) is the most common nerve compression disorder of the upper extremity. Carpal tunnel syndrome results in the highest number of days lost among all work related injuries. Almost half of the carpal tunnel cases result in 31 days or more of work loss.- National Center for Health Statistics.

Musculoskeletal disorders, including carpal tunnel syndrome, are among the most prevalent medical conditions in the U.S., affecting 7% of the population. They account for 14% of physician visits and 19% of hospital stays. 62% of the persons with musculoskeletal disorders report some degree of limitation on activity, compared with 14% of the population at large, according to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health.

Definition

The definition of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is a compression of the median nerve as it passes under the transverse carpal ligament at the base of the palm. There are nine other tendons in addition to the median nerve that all pass under the same transverse carpal ligament. The median nerve is responsible for motor movement and sensation of your thumb and first three fingers (not including your little finger). It is essential that they are all gliding smoothly against one another as they share such a small space.

Symptoms of Carpal Tunnel

• Tingling sensation or numbness in palm and fingers
• Weakness in the muscles of the hand, decreased grip strength
• Pain in your wrist, hand, and fingers. Some people experience pain radiating from the elbow to the wrist.

Symptoms usually occur in the thumb, first, middle and half of the ring finger, but leave the little finger feeling fine. The little finger receives neural input from a different source, the ulnar nerve. You may first notice these symptoms coming on at night, and in the beginning simply shaking your wrists may alleviate the pain. People often spend hours sleeping in a position which may involve the hand being compressed or in an awkward position. In an already irritated wrist, this is when symptoms may begin to rear their ugly head.

Common Causes of CTS

1. Making the same hand movements over and over, especially if the wrist is bent down (your hands lower than your wrists), or making the same wrist movements over and over
2. Wrist injuries and bone spurs
3. Pregnancy, nursing or carrying a small child with poor hand posture.
4. Obesity
5. Smoking (it can reduce blood flow to the median nerve)
6. Illnesses such as Rheumatoid Arthritis, Diabetes, Hypothyroidism.

Treatment for CTS

There are many things you can do for carpal tunnel syndrome at the acute and mild stages. Many of these things include simple home therapy that can help decrease your pain and help prevent long-term damage to the nerve.

1. Avoid activities that cause your pain or bring on symptoms of numbness, weakness or pain.
2. REST your wrists between activities and avoid heavy loads.
3. Ice Massage your wrists for 10 to 15 minutes, once or twice an hour.
4. Quit smoking to improve blood flow to median nerve. Get some quit smoking help from another article on this site.
5. Try taking a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug such as ibuprofen.
6. Wear a wrist splint or brace at night to protect the posture of your wrist as you sleep.
7. Maintain good postures for your wrist to take pressure off the median nerve. Your wrist is in a neutral position when it is straight or only slightly bent. Holding a glass of water is an example of your wrist in a neutral position.
8. Maintain good posture in your working environment. Do an ergonomic assessment of your work space.
9. Take fish oil. Fish Oil with high omega-3 content can help with carpel tunnel!

If you have questions or concerns about carpal tunnel syndrome, see your doctor.