Carpal tunnel syndrome: symptoms, causes and treatment

Definition of carpal tunnel syndrome

What is carpal tunnel syndrome?

Carpal tunnel syndrome is a disorder that occurs when the median nerve is compressed, namely the nerves that control the sense of taste and movement in the wrist and hand.

This musculoskeletal disorder is relatively common and has been experienced by many people. This condition causes pain to numbness in the hands and arms.

This problem occurs when the median nerve is compressed, which is the nerve that controls the sense of taste and movement in the wrist and hand, which traverses through a tunnel-shaped structure in the wrists called the carpal tunnel. When compressed, the median nerve shrinks and moves towards the wrist. Usually, this carpal tunnel syndrome gets worse with time. Therefore, early diagnosis and treatment is very important to help treat this condition. At a relatively mild level, the symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome can be relieved by wearing a splint on the wrist, or avoiding certain activities first.

If pressure on the median nerve continues, the nerve will eventually become damaged and the symptoms will get worse. To prevent this from happening, the patient may have to undergo surgery to relieve pressure on the median nerve.

How common is this condition?

Carpal tunnel syndrome is a condition that is often experienced by computer use, cashiers, butchers, cleaners, and other workers that allow both hands to perform repetitive movements for a long time.

This disease can be overcome by reducing risk factors. Therefore, discuss with your doctor or orthopedic doctor for more information.

Signs & symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome

After understanding the meaning of carpal tunnel syndrome, now is the time to further understand what signs and symptoms may arise. Among others are:

1. Tingling or numbness

You may experience tingling or numbness in your fingers or hands. Usually the thumb, index, middle or ring finger is affected, but not the little finger. You may feel a sensation like an electric shock.

The sensation can spread from your wrist to your arm. These symptoms often occur when driving, handling the phone or newspapers. In fact, this condition can wake you from sleep.

Many people perform handshakes to relieve symptoms. That feeling of numbness can become constant over time.

2. Hands become weak

You may feel so weak in your hands that you accidentally drop an item. This may be due to numbness in your hand or weakness in the thumb muscle of your thumb.

There may be other symptoms not listed above. If you have any questions about this sign, consult your doctor.

Apart from these two things, there are also other symptoms that you may encounter when experiencing carpal tunnel syndrome, for example:

Numbness in the fingers.
Reduced sensitivity to the fingertips.
Difficulty using your hands for light work, such as holding a steering wheel, holding a book when you want to read, writing by hand, to typing.

In fact, if your condition worsens, the muscles at the base of your fingers may shrink and become difficult to use again. This condition is known as muscle atrophy.

When to see a doctor?

If you have any of the above signs or symptoms or have any questions, consult your doctor, especially if the symptoms affect your daily routine. Every body acts differently from one another. Always discuss with your doctor to find the best solution for your condition.

Causes of carpal tunnel syndrome

The cause of carpal tunnel syndrome is narrowing of the carpal tunnel due to swollen wrists. The narrowed duct presses on the median nerve, causing pain and other symptoms.

In addition, some of the other causes of carpal tunnel syndrome are:

Move your hand and wrist repeatedly in the same way, for example, typing, writing, and using a computer mouse.
Pregnant women often experience this condition due to hormonal changes and fluid buildup.
Some diseases, such as musculoskeletal disorders, thyroid deficiency (hypothyroidism), and diabetes.

Risk factors for carpal tunnel syndrome

Some things that can increase your risk of experiencing this condition are:

Injury or anatomical condition to the wrist

Fractures or fractures of the hand, wrist dislocations, and arthritis that damage the small bones in the wrist, can change the space within the carpal tunnel and put pressure on the median nerve.

People who have a smaller carpal tunnel may be more likely to experience this one condition.

Female gender

Carpal tunnel syndrome is more common in women. This may be because the size of the carpal tunnel in women is smaller than in men.

Women who have this condition may also have a smaller carpal tunnel than those who don't.

Nerve damage occurred

Some chronic diseases, such as diabetes, increase your risk of developing nerve damage, including to the median nerve.

Inflammatory conditions

Rheumatoid arthritis (rheumatoid arthritis) and other conditions related to inflammation can affect the lining around the tendons in the wrist and put pressure on your median nerve.

Drugs

Several studies cited by the Mayo Clinic show a link between carpal tunnel syndrome and the use of anastrozole (Arimidex), a drug to treat breast cancer.

Being overweight or obese

Being overweight or obese increases your risk of developing carpal tunnel syndrome.

Changes in body fluids

Fluid retention can increase the pressure in the carpal tunnel and irritate the median nerve. This is common during pregnancy and menopause. The syndromes associated with pregnancy generally get better on their own after pregnancy.

Other medical conditions

Certain conditions, such as menopause, thyroid disorders, kidney failure, and lymphedema can increase your risk of developing carpal tunnel syndrome.

The workplace factor

Working with vibrating devices or other jobs that require you to bend your wrist repeatedly can create dangerous pressure on the median nerve or exacerbate existing nerve damage, especially if the work is done in a cold environment.

Medications & treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome

The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor.

The doctor examines the wrist, hits the median nerve, bends it, and holds it for a few seconds. A special test called electromyography (EMG) to check the nerves and muscles of the wrist may also be done.

What are the treatment options for carpal tunnel syndrome?

There are several ways to treat this condition, including:

1. Use a splint for the wrist

A splint is a medical device that is used on the hand to keep the wrist from bending and supporting it. If you do not use this tool, it is feared that you will forget and bend your hands accidentally.

If the wrist is allowed to bend, it will put more pressure on the affected nerve, thus exacerbating the symptoms of this one syndrome.

2. Use of pain relievers

If you can not stand the condition you are experiencing, use pain relievers or those included in the groupnonsteroidal anti-inflammatory disease(NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen.

These medicines can relieve the pain you may feel when you have carpal tunnel syndrome. Even so, it is better to consult with your doctor before deciding to take this drug

3. Use of corticosteroids

If pain medication still doesn't work for your condition, your doctor may give you an injection of corticosteroids to reduce pain.

Corticosteroids can help reduce inflammation and swelling, so that the pressure on the median nerve is reduced. Corticosteroids in the form of oral medications are not considered as effective as injectable corticosteroids in treating carpal tunnel syndrome.

4. Endoscopic surgery

Endoscopic surgery is a carpal tunnel syndrome surgical procedure that uses a long tube with a beam on one end and a camera lens at the other.

This tube is inserted through a small incision in the wrist or palm, so it is easy for surgeons to view the carpal ligament through a monitor during surgery.

5. Open operation

The open surgery procedure is initiated by applying local anesthesia to the patient's hand or wrist. This surgery is performed by cutting the carpal tendons to reduce pressure on the median nerve in the wrist. The median nerve itself is the nerve that controls the sense of taste and movement in the wrists and hands affected by CTS.

The recovery time for open surgery is usually slightly longer than the recovery time for endoscopic surgery. However, both of these methods have proven to be just as effective for treating carpal tunnel syndrome.

Home remedies for carpal tunnel syndrome

Some of the lifestyle changes and home remedies that may help treat carpal tunnel syndrome include:

Change the habits that cause carpal tunnel syndrome.
Take the pill as directed by your doctor.
Postpone treatment. If symptoms of severe muscle pain occur, there is less chance of a complete recovery.
Take off the wrist straps briefly if you wear them during the day to train the wrists and hands. Don't completely stop using and exercising your hands.

If you have any questions, consult your doctor to find the best solution for you. If you have questions, consult a doctor or orthopedic specialist for the best solution to your problem.