If you’re finding it difficult to handle day-to-day tasks due to a feeling of weakness and pain in your hands or wrist, you may be suffering from carpal tunnel syndrome. It’s a problem that can disrupt the function of repetitive hand motions, making it challenging to complete everyday activities like typing, cutting, cooking, and more.
What is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS)?
Carpal tunnel syndrome refers to a pain that runs through the median nerve, which causes a pressing or squeezing sensation from the forearm, into the palm, and at the wrist. The median nerve is found in this carpal tunnel, which, as its moniker suggests, is like a rigid passageway of the ligament that links the bones together.
The narrow tunnel serves as a path where the flexor tendons of the fingers, thumb, and median nerve bridge the muscles to the bones of the hand, which stimulates movement. When the tendons become irritated, or the tunnel starts to swell, it tends to compress the median nerve, resulting in a feeling of numbness, weakness, and pain in the hand, wrist, and even arms.
Who is at Risk for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?
Carpal tunnel syndrome generally develops to individuals whose jobs or daily tasks involve repetitive finger use. Others can also experience symptoms due to the following triggers:
- High-force motion (hammering)
- Long-term use
- Extreme wrist motions
- Vibration
- Heredity
- Pregnancy
- Hemodialysis
- Wrist fracture and dislocation
- Hand or wrist deformity
- Arthritic diseases like rheumatoid arthritis or gout
- Thyroid gland hormone imbalance
- Diabetes
- Alcoholism
- Tumor growth in the carpal tunnel
- Older age
- Amyloid deposits
Unfortunately, gender also has a contributing role regarding the risks of carpal tunnel syndrome. Researchers find that women are more likely to develop CTS than men.
What are the Symptoms of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?
The warning signs of carpal tunnel syndrome typically manifest gradually, but the red flags usually involve the following:
- A sensation of numbness, tingling, burning, and pain from the thumb, index, middle, and to the ring fingers.
- Shock-like triggers that spread around the thumb, index, middle, and ring fingers.
- Painful tingling that runs up the forearm to the shoulder.
- Difficulty in performing movements like buttoning clothes or typing due to a weakness or clumsiness in hand.
- Loss of proprioception, which disrupts your ability to know where your hand is in space, causing clumsiness and numbness.
The tell-tale signs of carpal tunnel syndrome usually occur slowly and without much warning or cause from a specific injury. The symptoms may come and go, but the condition tends to persist over time.
Conclusion: Always Check with Your Doctor to Get a Proper Diagnosis for Your Hand and Wrist Problems
Once you start noticing a weak, numb, or painful sensation running through your forearm, wrist, to your hands, it’s best to go to your doctor immediately and get a proper diagnosis. Many people often let the symptoms slide as it tends to come and go, but having it checked in its early stages will help you stop the progression and treat the disease before it gets worse.
If you’re looking for carpal tunnel syndrome treatment in Jacksonville, FL, get in touch with us today to see how we can help you!
