What is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome? Carpal tunnel syndrome is a painful disorder of the hand caused by pressure on your median nerve as it runs through the carpal tunnel of the wrist. Symptoms include numbness, pins and needles, and pain (particularly at night). Anything that causes swelling inside the wrist can cause carpal tunnel syndrome, including repetitive hand movements, pregnancy and arthritis. Read full article here: http://bit.ly/19JTKQq What is Your Carpal Tunnel? Your carpal tunnel protects vital structures such as the median nerve, blood vessels and tendons as they pass to and from your hand. The palm side of your wrist has a band of strong ligaments (flexor retinaculum) that attach to the carpal (wrist) bones at either side. The rear of the tunnel is a curved compilation of the wrist bones. What's the Cause of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?Carpal Tunnel Syndrome symptoms begin when the pressure inside the tunnel becomes too high. This results in your median nerve becoming compressed as it passes through the small tunnel.The carpal tunnel pressure increase occurs when either of two things happens:
Other Common Causes of Carpal Tunnel SyndromeFrequently, the median nerve is compressed elsewhere along its path - not in the carpal tunnel - and replicates carpal tunnel symptoms.Most often compression occurs in your neck but can occur anywhere along the nerve path as it travels to your hand. This entrapment predisposes the nerve to develop carpal tunnel symptoms. How does this occur?Healthy nerves have a supply of fluid called axoplasmic fluid, which provides the nerve with ...Read full article here: http://bit.ly/19JTKQq Potential Compression SourcesYour symptoms can originate from elsewhere along the ...Read full article here: http://bit.ly/19JTKQq Abnormal NeurodynamicsYour nerves should freely travel along their pathways between your spine and your fingers. Any interference of their slide mobility could cause symptoms eg scar tissue, tight muscles.Your physiotherapist can assess your neurodynamics for abnormalities. Tal-Akabi & Rushton (2000). Hormonal FactorsRead full article here: http://bit.ly/19JTKQqWhat’s the Symptoms of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome? Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) sufferers will usually experience the following symptoms in their hand or fingers: Read full article here: http://bit.ly/19JTKQq How is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Diagnosed?Your physiotherapist or doctor will generally diagnose carpal tunnel syndrome based on your symptoms. They use various tests such as Phalen’s test, Tinel’s test or the wrist flexion/median nerve compression test that compress the carpal tunnel. It is also important to thoroughly examine your lower neck and upper back joints, plus your nerve tissue mobility - neurodynamics.Your doctor may refer you for nerve conduction studies or EMG studies to quantify if your nerve electrical impulses are slowed by compression within the carpal tunnel or further up the arm. Craig & Richardson (2011). Ultrasound may reveal median nerve enlargement. X-ray may identify coexisting pathologies. MRI, CT scans are not normally required. Hobson-Webb & Padua (2009). Carpal Tunnel Syndrome TreatmentRead full article here: http://bit.ly/19JTKQqNight Wrist SplintA nighttime wrist splint is beneficial to eliminate wrist bending and therefore carpal tunnel symptoms. Muller et al (2004). Your physiotherapist may recommend a splint. A suitable carpal tunnel wrist splint can be found here: http://bit.ly/1e0ZJp3PhysiotherapyPhysiotherapy is beneficial for most carpal tunnel sufferers especially in mild to moderate cases.Your physiotherapist will address:
 Ultrasound Therapy, Acupuncture, Massage & YogaUltrasound therapy has been shown to assist ...Read full article here: http://bit.ly/19JTKQq Ergonomic AssessmentIf the carpal tunnel has been caused at work, then ...Read full article here: http://bit.ly/19JTKQq TENS MachineA TENS machine (transcutaneous electrical muscle stimulation) has been shown to ease the pain associated with carpal tunnel syndrome. Kara et al (2010). More information about TENS machines can be found here: http://bit.ly/18OPEpbCarpal Tunnel SurgeryThe American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) recommend that conservative treatment be attempted initially. Keith et al (2009).Before you undertake carpal tunnel surgery it is important that you Read full article here: http://bit.ly/19JTKQq What’s Your Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Prognosis? Mild to moderate sufferers of carpal tunnel syndrome have ... Read full article here: http://bit.ly/19JTKQq ...favourable prognosis from conservative treatment. The best results occur within the first three months of treatment. For more specific advice please consult your physiotherapist or doctor. |
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