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What is Carpal Tunnel
Syndrome?
Carpal Tunnel
Syndrome is a painful and disabling disorder
characterized by inflammation and swelling of
the tendons that run through the narrow carpal
tunnel in the wrist, and is one of the most
common of repetitive stress injuries.
Numbness, tingling, and pain in the base of the
thumb and the first three fingers results from
the compression of a nerve that shares the
carpal tunnel.
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How does carpal tunnel
syndrome develop?
Bending the wrist or moving the fingers
brings muscles and tendons into action. For
example, when a person bends a finger, the
tendon moves about two inches. The tendons of
the hand are encased in sheaths, or sleeves
through which the tendons slide. The inner wall
of the sheaths contains cells that produce a
slippery fluid to lubricate the tendons.
Lubrication is essential for the normal and
smooth functioning of the tendons. With
repetitive or excessive movement of the hand,
the lubrication system may malfunction. It may
not produce enough fluid or it may produce a
fluid with poor lubricating qualities. Failure
of the lubricating system creates friction
between the tendon and its sheath causing
inflammation and swelling of the tendon area. In
turn, the swelling squeezes the median nerve in
the wrist or carpal tunnel. Repeated episodes of
inflammation cause fibrous tissue to form. The
fibrous tissue thickens the tendon sheath, and
hinders tendon movement. |
The syndrome, is
caused by excessive and unrelieved repetition of
movements that in themselves appear innocuous,
such as cutting meat or typing on a computer
keyboard.
In addition to
high frequency of repetition and lack of rest
periods, factors that increase risk of
hand-wrist damage include awkward or unnatural
working posture, use of excessive force in
performing a task, and emotional stress.
Present treatment for Carpal
Tunnel Syndrome typically consists of:
- Anti-inflammatory
drugs
- Wrist splints
- Rehabilitation
through physical therapy
- Rest
- Stress-reducing techniques at the
workplace
- Exercise
-
Surgery
All of the above have
their successes and failures in
restoring function, relieving pain and
returning a person to their normal
life's activities.
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Carpal tunnel
syndrome is particularly associated with certain
tasks including:
- repetitive hand motions
- awkward hand positions
- strong gripping
- mechanical stress on the palm
- vibration
Symptoms
Symptoms usually begin gradually, and may
consist of burning, tingling, pain, and/or,
numbness in the thumb, index and middle fingers,
and in the palm of the hand. One can usually
relate these symptoms to some activity that is
associated with bending the wrists, such as
knitting, typing, or driving. Frequently, these
symptoms will occur during sleep, when many
people sleep with their wrists flexed. As this
disease progresses, one may eventually
experience: tingling and numbness with all
finger and hand activities; decreased strength
in the hand and thumb; difficulty in making a
fist; and inability to pick up small objects.
If the pressure on the nerve is relieved early
enough, the symptoms will usually be relieved.
Introducing Low
Level Laser Therapy for the treatment of Carpal
Tunnel Syndrome.
Cold Low Level Laser
was approved on Feb. 11, 2002 for the treatment
& management of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. |
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