Skip to main content

Carpal tunnel syndrome is a median nerve problem

WRITTEN AND PUBLISHED BY PTT. THOMAS ADJEI BIO ON



CARPAL TUNNEL SYNDROME .
What's Carpal tunnel syndrome?

 Carpal tunnel SYNDROME is a condition caused by compression of the median nerve in the carpal tunnel, resulting in wrist pain and numbness or feeling of tingling sensation in the thumb, index finger, middle finger and lateral half of the ring finger.
The median nerve provides sensation to the thumb, index finger, middle finger and lateral half of the ring finger. 

 What could cause carpal tunnel SYNDROME? 
CTS has no known cause but certain lifestyle could increase one's risk.

 Who is at risk for carpal tunnel syndrome?

 People at risk are those with jobs or activities that involve repetitive finger use, especially those associated with high force, long-term use, extreme wrist motions and vibration. However, many factors may contribute to the development of carpal tunnel syndrome. They include:

 1.Heredity (smaller carpal tunnels can run in families)
2.Pregnancy
3.Hemodialysis(a process where the blood is filtered)
4.Wrist fracture and dislocation
5.Hand or wrist deformity
6.Arthritic diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and gout
7.Thyroid gland hormone imbalance (hypothyroidism)
8.Diabetes 
9.Alcoholism 
10.A mass (tumor) in the carpal tunnel
11.Older age
12.Amyloid deposits.

 What are the symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome? 

 Common daytime symptoms can include:

 Tingling in the fingers
Decreased feeling in the fingertips
Difficulty using the hand for small tasks, like:
•Handling small objects
•Grasping a steering wheel to drive
•Holding a book to read
•Writing
•Using a computer keyboard

 As carpal tunnel syndrome worsens, symptoms become more constant. These symptoms can include:
•Weakness in the hand
•Inability to perform tasks that require delicate motions (such as buttoning a shirt)
•Dropping objects
•In the most severe condition, the muscles at the base of the thumb visibly shrink in size (atrophy).

 PHYSIOTHERAPY MANAGEMENT OF CTS. 
Before a physiotherapist can intervene in your condition, a special test that would add up to the symptoms you may present with in order to be 100% sure, it's really a carpal tunnel syndrome may be performed. 

 Either one of these test can be performed and a positive result would be aggravation of patient symptoms. 
#Phalens sign 
#Tinel Sign. 
Whatever the cause of your problem, 
Education on lifestyle changes would be helpful in the management of CTS.
 Activities that involve the use of the wrist much should be limited. 

 1.Splints could be helpful in preventing discomfortness by positioning the wrist to avoid unnecessary movement that could aggravates one's symptoms. 

 2.Active wrist movement can help prevent atrophy of the muscles at the base of the thumb, that form the thenar eminence and also prevents joint stiffness which can occur because of pain bringing about long term immobilization.
3.Electrical stimulation is also helpful in the median nerve stimulation and pain relief.
4.Passive mobilization would be helpful too, as this would help maintain joint ROM (JOINTS WRIST AND PHALANGES) 




 REVIEWED BY MISS PATRICIA MARTEY


                             ABOUT US
FOR MORE TOP STORIES LIKE MY PAGE ON FACEBOOK TITLED "PHYSIOTHERAPY TO THE WORLD"



Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Physiotherapy as a profession, what it is about

WRITTEN AND PUBLISHED BY PTT. THOMAS ADJEI BIO ON
                    INTRODUCTION   It is quite sad why in this recent times, when physiotherapy has impacted so much on illnesses, pains, deformities, and disabilities, many populates do not know what physiotherapy is about.  Those who study physiotherapy becomes physiotherapist and physiotherapy technician depending on the level of qualification. In the local entity, many people refer physiotherapist or physiotherapist technician as the "Doctors of bone" and for some, they are  " Doctors of massage ". These are all not the real work of the Two professionals. It high time people are educated on what physiotherapy really entails. People who get into the physiotherapy profession,as earlier stated are trained to become physiotherapist and physiotherapy technician with degree and diploma qualifications respectively. DEFINITION OF PHYSIOTHERAPY   Physiotherapy as a profession, gathers non-invasive te...
Post a Comment
Read more

Lumbar spondylosis is a major contributing factor for low back pain

WRITTEN AND PUBLISHED BY PTT. THOMAS ADJEI BIO ON
                Fig. from google                LUMBAR SPONDYLOSIS  The spine contains about 31 vertebrae bones. Cervical (7), thoracic (12),Lumbar(5),Sacral(4),Coccyx (3). These bones lie on each other and separated from each other by cartilage containing fluid-filled substance called synovial fluid. This cartilage is found on the surfaces of each of the vertebrae bones articulating with each other in providing cushioning and serves as shock absorbers. It also prevents the bones from kissing each other, that may cause inflammation. Lumbar spondylosis is described as all degenerative conditions affecting the lumbar spine. This degenerative conditions may be disc degeneration, disc herniation, osteophytes growth, foramina stenosis and other inflammatory conditions affecting the lumbar spine. Lumbar spondylosis can affect persons as young as 20yrs. It can be seen as a cascade -Anatomical changes...
1 comment
Read more