Carpel Tunnel Syndrome

Symptoms & Causes

Treatments

What is it?

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is a condition where a nerve (median nerve) becomes compressed in your wrist. The carpal tunnel is a narrow passageway formed of bones and ligaments on the palm side of your hand, it contains the median nerve along with the tendons that help to flex (bend) your fingers. When swelling or the thickening of tendons develops in this region the median nerve can be compressed and symptoms can occur. The median nerve carries information from your brain to your thumb that control its movement, it also carries information back to your brain about sensation in your thumb and fingers.

Symptoms

Tingling, pins and needles or numbness in the hand, in particular the thumb, index and middle fingers but pain can be felt in the whole hand
An ache can be felt in the forearm as well as into the shoulder and neck
An increase in symptoms can often be felt at night time and it may wake you from your sleep
Weakness in the hand and difficulty with activities that require fine finger movements

Causes

Usually a combination of factors that combine to increase pressure on the nerve and tendons, such as:

Repetitive use of the hand in activities such as computer work or using particular tools such as a screwdriver
Trauma or injury to the wrist such as a sprain or fracture
Overuse of tools that vibrate the wrist and hand such as wood sander
Arthritis of any form in the wrist
Fluid retention during pregnancy or due to cardiovascular problems
A cyst or tumour in the tunnel
Under or overactive thyroid

Treatment options

Avoiding activities that are causing the problem or correcting poor mechanics
Physiotherapy
Remedial massage
Shockwave therapy
Dry needling
Cryotherapy

Exercises at home

Wrist flexors stretch
- Extend one arm out in front with the elbow straight
- Use the other hand to grasp the palm of the hand and bend the wrist so that the fingers are pointing towards the floor
- Hold the stretch for approximately 30 seconds and breathe deeply throughout
Wrist extensor strengthening
- Place your forearm on a table or arm rest with the wrist unsupported, palm facing down
- With a weight in your hand, extend the wrist, raising the weight towards the ceiling then, slowly lower the weight towards the floor
- Repeat 8-10 times, rest 1 minute and repeat. Ensure the movement is controlled and no pain is felt in the elbow