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What
is Carpal Tunnel
Syndrome?
Carpal
tunnel syndrome
is a common,
and progressively
incapacitating,
condition affecting
the thumb and
first three fingers
of one or both
hands.
Its
symptoms first
appear as episodes
of tingling or
numbness with
strenuous movement
of the wrist,
such as driving
a car, knitting
or typing.
If
left untreated,
the syndrome
can progress
until it is experienced
as a constant
numbness and
generalized weakening
of the hand which
makes even simple
tasks such as,
buttoning a shirt
or removing a
lid from a jar
increasingly
difficult. Carpal
tunnel syndrome
often wakens
a sufferer during
the night with
a burning sensation
in one or both
hands.
Who
gets Carpal Tunnel
Syndrome?
Anyone
whose job or
hobby requires
repeated wrist
movement can
be a victim of
the syndrome.
This commonly
includes carpenters,
mechanics, painters,
artists, golfers,
tennis players,
knitters, dishwashers,
and car drivers,
among others.
Conditions
associated
with carpal
tunnel syndrome
can also contribute
to its development.
These include:
pregnancy,
rheumatoid
arthritis,
diabetes, vascular
malformation,
tendonitis,
obesity, nerve
tumors or cysts,
and aging.
What
causes Carpal
Tunnel Syndrome?
The
syndrome is
a result of
repetitive
though
often minor
injury
to the watchband-like
carpal ligament
which stretches
across the
wrist. The
injury leads
to scar tissue,
making the
ligament thicker.
When this occurs,
the carpal
ligament takes
up more room
and presses
down upon the
Median Nerve
beneath it.
Nerve entrapment
causes the
tingling and
numbness which
can lead to
the eventual
death of the
nerve itself.
Nerve death,
in turn, creates
atrophy of
those muscles
that the nerve
controls. (Hence,
the function
of the hand
or hands weakens.)
When
ignored over
a period of
months, the
nerve injury
can become
permanent and
irreversible:
surgical intervention
will prove
futile.
How
is Carpal Tunnel
Syndrome diagnosed?
A
diagnostic
procedure
known as
"Electromyography"
is recommended
when the
syndrome
is suspected.
This test
will show
the degree
of nerve
damage and
eliminate
the possibility
of other
causes for
symptoms
experienced
by patients.
For
more topics
of interest
on neurology
and neurosurgery
visit www.neurohaven.com
or call (863)
293-2107.
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