العربية 
Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment For Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment For Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Carpal tunnel syndrome is a common ailment that affects an individual’s everyday activities, work productivity, and quality of life. Since more people are engaged in computer-related jobs, carpal syndrome is quite prevalent among them.
Hence it’s important to understand the causes, symptoms, and options of treatment for carpal tunnel syndrome. In this article, we’ll also discuss how to effectively prevent it from occurring in the first place.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: An Overview
Carpal tunnel syndrome occurs due to compression of the median nerve that passes through a channel called carpal tunnel in the wrist. The carpal tunnel is a narrow space in the wrist along which the median nerve and tendons pass. The median nerve is responsible for sensation in the thumb, index finger, middle finger, and half of the ring finger, and it also controls muscles at the base of the thumb.
Carpal tunnel syndrome occurs when the tissues around the median nerve inflame and pressurise the nerve. This syndrome may occur for various reasons, such as pregnancy, arthritis, diabetes, repetitive motion injuries, and aging. Patients typically feel numbness, tingling, and muscle or hand pain initially.
The good news is carpal tunnel syndrome is treatable. Treatment options include splinting, stretching exercises, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), corticosteroid injections, and surgery. If you doubt you might have carpal tunnel syndrome, see your doctor for an accurate diagnosis and treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome.
What causes the development of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?
A micro view:
The median nerve runs from the forearm to the hand and passes through the wrist through the carpal tunnel. The carpal tunnel is formed by the bones and ligaments of the wrist and serves as a passageway for blood vessels and tendons. When the median nerve is compressed or pinched as it passes through this tunnel, it can cause pain, numbness, tingling sensations, and weakness in the hand and fingers.
There are several factors that may contribute to the development of carpal tunnel syndrome, including
- Anatomical factors. Some people are born with small or narrow carpal tunnels. This congenital condition can make them more susceptible to developing CTS in later life.
- Bone spurs. These bony projections can form on the wrist bones and compress the median nerve.
- Trauma or injury to the wrist. A fracture or dislocation of the wrist can cause swelling and inflammation that puts pressure on the median nerve (very common after distal radius fracture)
- Repetitive motions of the hand and wrist. Activities that require repeated use of your hands and wrists (such as typing) can put pressurise the median nerve and lead to CTS.
- Aging: Aging reduces the internal gliding capacities of the peripheral nerve and makes it more susceptible to chronic pressure
What causes the development of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?
Carpal tunnel syndrome is a very common peripheral nerve entrapment syndrome. It usually affects both sides of the hand. Every 10th person is affected by carpal tunnel syndrome in Dubai.
Once the patient is diagnosed, Prof Dr Robert Hierner plans the best approach for treatment for carpal tunnel syndrome. Typically these treatment applies integrative therapy concept that includes principle, conservative and surgical therapy. The treatments are
Nerve care
Age-related carpal tunnel caused by wear and tear, repetitive motions, lack of exercise, excessive strain, and poor diet usually seek nerve care as first-line treatment.
The patient is recommended a Vitamin B complex supplement that aids the development and restoration of peripheral nerves. Similarly, other supplements are also recommended whose deficiency can build chronic pressure on the nerve and cause this syndrome.
Non-operative (conservative) Treatment
Prof Dr Robert Hierner may recommend one of these conservative treatments along with nerve care to increase motor ability in hands and treat this syndrome successfully nonsurgically:
- Physiotherapy
- Anti-inflammatory treatment
- Night splinting
- Cortisone injection
Surgery
If symptoms persist for a longer period of time, hand surgery is typically recommended. The carpal canal can be relieved either via a mini-incision or endoscopically. The aim of surgery is to rehabilitate nerves, relieve nerve impingement and restore blood circulation in the nerves in the carpal tunnel so that improvement can be witnessed over time.
Also, adequate postoperative pain therapy, medications, and physiotherapeutic follow-up are recommended in the early phase post-surgery.
Your hand may be wrapped in a large bandage for immobilization to help in the proper healing and formation of peripheral nerves in the hand. If you do a desk job, you will be able to resume work in 1 – 3 days; however, if you do hand-intensive work( if you are a carpenter, typist, etc), you may start work in 2 – 3 weeks, with proper care instructions.
Nocturnal pain (night pain) probably will persist immediately after surgery. You may experience numbness or tingling sensory disturbances in your hand, which will disappear with healing.
Each case is special. Hence thoroughly investigated by our hand surgeon in Dubai, Prof Dr Robert Hierner, with 30+ years of experience providing thorough treatment for Carpal Tunnel syndrome in Dubai.
Book an appointment with Prof Dr Robert Hierner and seek treatment for carpal tunnel syndrome in Dubai at the earliest.
Also Read: Sleeping Hands
