Carpal Tunnel Syndrome occurs when a nerve becomes pinched in your wrist. The injury occurs within the carpal tunnel structure located on the palm side of your wrist.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome can take months to recover from. A lot of the recovery time depends on the treatment option used.
Statistics show that as many as 8 million people are diagnosed with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome in the United States each year. It is one of the leading complaints in worker’s compensation cases.
What are the signs and symptoms of carpal tunnel?
Symptoms of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome include pain, numbness, and weakness that is first felt in the palm of the hands. The earlier that a diagnosis is made, the better the chances are of a good recovery without surgery.
When you first feel symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome, you should see a doctor. The condition may build up slowly. Once treated by either noninvasive or invasive procedures, your full recovery time can go as long as 12 weeks.
Those who are at risk for carpal tunnel syndrome include those with a hereditary connection, those who perform repetitive tasks with their hands and figures repeatedly such as a typist are more prone to get this. Pregnancy is another risk factor. Chronic illnesses, previous dislocation or other injuries, and obesity are also factors.
If left untreated, you may experience weakness in your wrist as well as a lack of coordination in your fingers.
How is carpal tunnel diagnosed?
Diagnosis of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is made through patient history, physical examination x-rays, and nerve and muscle studies. Usually, during the physical examination, the doctor will tap on your wrist. This usually evokes a pain response.
If the doctor feels that the case is severe enough, you will be referred for carpal tunnel release surgery. It is usually a good idea to opt for non-invasive treatments such as chiropractor adjustment before agreeing to surgical release.
How is carpal tunnel treated?
Treatment for carpal tunnel syndrome includes braces, stretching exercises, and chiropractic treatment. If these treatments are not successful, the surgical release does have an excellent success rate.
Massage of the hands and wrists and gentle stretching can help you prevent carpal tunnel syndrome.
FAQ's
WHAT WILL HAPPEN IF CARPAL TUNNEL SYNDROME IS ALLOWED TO PROGRESS?
When this condition worsens, you would experience increased pain and numbness. Your hand and wrist would weaken further to the point of a loss of coordination. You would start to drop things after awhile.
DOES CARPAL TUNNEL SYNDROME INTERFERE WITH SLEEP IN ANY WAY?
Most patients report that the pain from Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is bad enough to awaken them from sleep. It can be worse at night than it is during the day.
WHAT CAN I DO TO PREVENT CARPAL TUNNEL SYNDROME?
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome can be prevented through gentle exercises and stretches, more frequent breaks, and proper posture. If you are positioning your hands above the keyboard in an ergonomic manner, you can keep Carpal Tunnel Syndrome at bay.