CARPAL TUNNEL SYNDROME

ABOUT CARPAL TUNNEL SYNDROME

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is where a nerve in your wrist gets compressed which can result in weakness and numbness in your hand. We can treat Carpal Tunnel Syndrome in Sheffield, Rotherham, Doncaster and Worksop.

The carpal tunnel is a channel in your wrist through which the tendons that control your fingers run. Also in the tunnel is the median nerve which supplies feeling and control of your hand. So when this nerve gets compressed, the median nerve is compromised and this is known as carpal tunnel syndrome.

The nerve can get compressed for different reasons so there are several causes of carpal tunnel syndrome:

• Smaller carpal tunnel – some people just have a smaller tunnel so they are more prone to carpal tunnel syndrome

• Being overweight – carrying excessive weight makes you more likely to develop carpal tunnel syndrome

• Gender – women are more likely to get carpal tunnel problems, partly because women are smaller but also because of the types of jobs they do.

• Age – you are more likely to develop carpal tunnel syndrome if you are over 30.

• Repetitive movements – activities that involve repetitive movements of the hands can trigger carpal tunnel syndrome such as typing or using vibrating machinery.

• Injury to the wrist – there may be swelling in the wrist which is causing the compression.

Carpal tunnel syndrome is different from wrist tendonitis as it is the nerve which is being compressed and not inflammation on the tendons themselves.

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF CARPAL TUNNEL SYNDROME?

Carpal tunnel syndrome can cause pain and weakness in the fingers, wrist and arm:

• Pain, numbness or tingling in the thumb and first three fingers of the hand

• Weakness in the hand which may lead to dropping things

• Pain in the wrist which may extend into the forearm and up to the shoulder

Because of the weakness and impaired ability to use your hand, carpal tunnel syndrome can lead to muscle wastage if a severe case goes untreated.

WHAT TREATMENTS ARE AVAILABLE?

Carpal tunnel syndrome ranges from mild to severe cases. So it doesn’t always require treatment as mild cases can clear up on its own. However, if there is no improvement within a couple of weeks, it’s better to seek help from your GP:

• Painkillers – using an anti-inflammatory painkiller, such as ibuprofen, can help reduce the swelling and inflammation as well as treat the pain.

• Wrist splint – wearing a splint at night keeps the hand in a neutral position that takes the pressure off of the median nerve. You may need to wear the splint for at least a month.

• Cortisone steroid injection – these injections can reduce inflammation and treat any pain and can work very quickly to improve your trigger finger.

Carpal tunnel can also be successfully treated through a surgical procedure called ‘carpal tunnel release’. Book your appointment to treat Carpal Tunnel Syndrome in Sheffield, Rotherham, Doncaster or Worksop. You can also follow us on social media.