Pacifica Orthopedics, Huntington Beach, California.

Request An Appointment

What is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

by

Carpal tunnel syndrome is a term that describes the condition caused by the inflammation of the median nerve. This is a nerve that passes via the carpal tunnel in the wrist which is made of bones and ligaments. Carpal tunnel syndrome is one of the most common repetitive strain injuries. The injury is a result of using hands and fingers to perform repetitive and strenuous activities.
Carpal tunnel syndrome occurs when there is a compression of the median nerve in the carpal tunnel causing limitations or improper nerve functioning. The nerve is compressed because the carpal tunnel has a bone on one side and on the other side an inflexible ligament. The build up of pressure in the tunnel leaves the nerve pinched.
When the median nerve is pinched, your hands and fingers can not perform in a normal way because you will experience pain, numbness, or tingling sensations. Different people experience different symptoms of carpal tunnel syndromes. Some may experience hands or wrist pains while others get tingling or numbing sensations on specific muscles of the hands. Shaking of the hand sometimes causes relief just like extending the arm relieves the pain. The symptoms are mostly felt at night or when one is involved in activities like driving or typing.
Carpal tunnel syndrome can also be as a result of conditions like diabetes, hypothyroidism, arthritis as well as pregnancy. The major culprit for this condition has been the computer key board. It is advised that people who spend long hours typing be informed of ways of preventing carpal tunnel syndrome. This can be achieved by using well designed keyboards with easy to press soft keys. Other activities associated with carpal tunnel syndrome include shop and factory work as well as sports activities like weightlifting and racquet games. People over forty years are most likely to experience this condition.

Other posts you may interested in…

0 Comments