In today's world, almost all of us use a number of machines and tools extensively in our day-to-day life. Spending long hours engaged in repetitive work can sometimes lead to a numb or tingling feeling in the fingers and wrist. If you do not pay attention to these feelings, they progressively worsen and could develop into a serious andpainful condition known as Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS).

CTS usually begins as a mild burning sensation or feeling of numbness in the hand. It is usually noticed in the palm region or in the thumb and first two fingers. These sensations may initially appear while you are asleep at night. However, shaking or massaging the hand causes them to go away, which is why CTS is often mistaken as a muscle cramp. Over time, these sensations will persist throughout the day and you will experience weakness in your hand. You will find it difficult to grasp or lift objects. As CTS progresses, you will be unable to perform even simple tasks like writing, unscrewing bottle caps, etc.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS)

Your wrist has a canal called the carpal tunnel, through which muscles and nerves pass in order to connect your hand to your forearm. These muscles include nine tendons called flexors, which go to the various parts of your hand. They surround a median nerve that is responsible for the sensations your hand feels. The carpal tunnel is enclosed on three sides by bone. The fourth side is covered by a fibrous block of tissue called the Flexor Retinaculum, which holds the wrist together.

When your hands perform a series of repetitive movements, the muscle tendons begin to swell and increase in size. Since the space in the carpal tunnel is limited they cannot expand and instead try to make space by compressing themedian nerve. This in turn is what causes the tingling or painful sensations in the wrist. The intensity of the sensation produced will depend on how much the median nerve has been compressed. For some people, the carpal tunnel may be smaller than normal. So even a slight swelling of the tendons can be extremelypainful.

Causes of CTS

CTS can be caused by a variety of factors which interfere with the normal functioning of the median nerve. Women are more prone to CTS since a woman's carpal tunnel is smaller than a man's. CTS can also be caused due to trauma caused by an injury tothe wrist such as a broken wrist bone, sprain, fracture, etc., which alters the space in the carpal tunnel. CTS has also been associated with rheumatoid arthritis. In some cases, CTS can be caused due to a cyst or tumour, in or near the carpal tunnel. Women who are pregnant or going through menopause may experience CTS due to retention of fluid in the carpal tunnel which compresses the median nerve.

CTS can sometimes be caused due to mechanical stress to the wrist and its joints. This is likely to be a result of repeated actions that cause the tendons to swell. CTS is more likely to be observed in people who are engaged in work that involves the use of machinery. This includes tailors, food packers, people in construction work, etc. Typing at the keyboard of a computer has not been conclusively proved to be a cause of CTS. Thepainful sensations you feel after a long typing session are more likely to just be a cramp rather than CTS.

Treating CTS

Early diagnosis of CTS is the key to treating its symptoms before they progressively worsen. In the initial stages, a few simple exercises are enough to lessen the pain caused by CTS and, hopefully, treat the condition entirely. Common exercises include the use of certain aids to practice hand gripping. For example, you can use a soft squeeze ball that is commonly available and practice gripping and squeezing it to flex the tendons in your hands. There are other exercises that deal with strengthening the tendons in the carpal tunnel itself. This ensures that they can better cope with the common tasks you perform. Additionally, they will be less likely to swell due to increased use.

CTS can be relieved by resting the affected wrist and binding it, to prevent further damage due to unnecessary movements. Initially, ice can be used to decrease the swelling in the muscles. If the pain persists, your doctor may prescribe some drugs that give you relief from CTS. Anti-inflammatory drugs and other pain relievers will decrease the swelling in the tendons and are used to treat CTS if an early diagnosis has been made. For CTS due to water retention, diuretic pills may be prescribed in order to reduce the build-up of fluid within the carpal tunnel.

The last option to treat CTS is surgery. The surgery involves making incisions in the flexor retinaculum, to increase the space in the carpal tunnel. This relieves the symptoms of CTS almost immediately. However, extensive physical therapy may be required in order forthe wrist to regain its normal functioning. The risks of surgery include chances of infection as well as impaired function due to nerve damage. These risks are minimal though.

CTS can be extremely painful in severe cases. The good news though is that CTS can also be detected right from its early stages. Mild cases are treated with simple means like exercise and some medication so CTS should not have to make you change your current lifestyle.