The carpal tunnel is a narrow passageway in the wrist, which opens into the hand.
The median nerve runs through the carpal tunnel and gives feeling to the 2nd through the 4th finger (the medial half of it).
Carpal tunnel is a condition that affects any gender, and the prevalence of people affected from this conditions, are people who do repetitive movements with their hands and arm.
Symptoms
- Numbness
- Pins and needles in the hand
- Pain, particularly at night
- Darting pains from the wrist
- Radiated or referred pain in the arm and shoulder
- Weakness of the hand
- The little finger and half of the ring finger are unaffected.
Causes
Occasionally there is no clear cause for Carpal Tunnel.
Said so, sometimes there is a combination of factors such as:
- Arthritis – C.T. is a consequence of inflammation and swelling
- Pregnancy – During the pregnancy period, given the increase of hormones, the body tends to retain more fluid, which can compress the median nerve and replicate CT symptoms.
- Genetics – some people can have smaller carpal tunnel
- Overuse injury – as previously mentioned repetitive movement and overload of the wrist can lead to CT syndrome
Treatment options
Along with different treatment options, massage is the first non-invasive approach someone can try for carpal tunnel.
As soon as the symptoms show up, would be wise to go and see a massage therapist.
Techniques such as Remedial Massage, Myotherapy can address easily the problem and alleviate the pain.
Depending on the presentation and the cause of the carpal tunnel, even Applied MLD (manual lymphatic drainage) can be an ideal treatment option for carpal tunnel.
Along the physical therapy, rest is highly recommended, and exercises as often happen, play the main role.
To prevent pain from wrist movement, a splint can help.
Other treatment options include surgery.
It is a common intervention and can be done on both hands at the same time.
The patient can choose to go for local or general anaesthesia.
Surgery for Carpal Tunnel consists in doing a cut along the palm and the wrist.
The surgeon then cuts the ligament to reduce pressure on the underlying median nerve.
Once the skin gets stitched back the ligaments would heal by themselves, and the new scar would not put so much pressure on the median nerve.
Even though the surgery is an easy one, can have some complications, like swelling, and damage to the median or ulnar nerve.
Also, if the ligament was not cut completely, it will still apply pressure on the Median Nerve, and a second surgery would be needed.