According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), “carpal tunnel syndrome occurs when the median nerve, which runs from the forearm into the palm of the hand, becomes pressed or squeezed at the wrist.”
The median nerve is responsible for controlling the movement in your hand of the thumb and first three fingers. This “pressing” or “squeezing” on the nerve tunnel makes that canal smaller, resulting in an irritation of the nerve.
The condition can be quite painful and it is generally progressive, meaning that it gets worse over time.
What Causes Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome can be caused by a variety of factors, including disease and even pregnancy. However, the most common causes are repetitive motion and trauma.mRepetitive motion occurs where you make the same hand or wrist movements over and over.
There are many different types of activities that may include repetitive hand or wrist motions, including some types of jobs. These include:
- typing or data entry
- assembly line work
- playing musical instruments
- working on a computer
- sewing
- mechanic
- painter
- agricultural worker
- locksmith
- cashier, and jobs that require repeated use of vibrating tools
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome can also be caused by trauma or injury to the wrist. A car accident or work-related event that causes broken or fractured bones may lead to CTS symptoms. Wrist sprains or strains can have the same result.
What are the Symptoms of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?
Symptoms of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome can vary from person to person, and also with the nature of the activity. However, the most common symptoms include:
- numbness, tingling, or burning sensations in the thumb or first three fingers
- loss of dexterity in the thumb or fingers
- pain in the hand, even going up to the arm and shoulder grip weakness or an inability to grasp or pinch, andfrequent dropping of objects.
You can reach us by phone at 813-915-8666 to discuss the required treatments to improve your quality of life.
