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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


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