Carpal Tunnel Syndrome - Description and treatment
Can you feel a tingling sensation, pins and needles, and a burning sensation in one or both of your hands? Is there decreased sensitivity in your fingers and pain in your wrist? The unpleasant feeling and pain connected with carpal tunnel syndrome can often keep you up at night. That might be the reason you are looking to rid yourself of these issues.
Warning:Do not use this or any other article on the internet to diagnose yourself. Only physicians can correctly diagnose patients. Do not postpone seeing your physician to resolve your health issues in time.
Characteristics of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and its causes
Carpal tunnel syndrome is one of the most common conditions affecting nerves in the upper limbs. Middle aged women are the most affected group. It is also one of the most frequent occupational diseases.
The carpal tunnel is a passageway leading from the forearm to the palm and is surrounded by the carpal bones and fibrous tissue. Several nerves, blood vessels and tendons are situated in this tunnel. If these nerves in this narrow area get compressed, carpal tunnel syndrome develops.
Its acute form is caused by a rapid and prolonged rise in pressure in the carpal tunnel area. This is most often connected with fractures, burns or local infections.
The chronic form is more common, and symptoms can linger for months or years. Causes can be found in only 50% of cases. One of the possible causes of carpal tunnel syndrome is excessive, unilateral and long-term strain on the minor muscles of the hand and forearm. This can be caused during typing, working with tools or while playing musical instruments.
What does diagnosing carpal syndrome look like?
If you suffer from lingering carpal tunnel syndrome symptoms, it is best to see your physician and get properly examined by a specialist. Anamnesis is very important because it serves as a basis for learning about patients’ subjective feelings, and it may recommend electromyography – a detailed hand and arm examination. This examination measures nerve conductivity, and a neurologist then either confirms or disproves a diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome.
Carpal tunnel syndrome treatment – rid yourself of the pain
Treatment begins by removing the cause, reducing strain on the forearm and hand, and by wearing a brace. Non-steroidal antirheumatics are usually administered.
Carpal tunnel – a passageway from the forearm to the palm of the hand surrounded by carpal bones and fibroid tissue.
Syndrome – a collection of symptoms.
Acute – a sudden and urgent state with intense symptoms.
Chronic – a state of gradual and long-term development.
Non-steroid antirheumatics – non-steroid drug that has analgesic, anti-inflammatory and antipyretic effect.
Physiotherapy, based on applying ultrasound, laser, iontophoresis and by mobilising carpal bones, is an integral part of the treatment with the goal of renewing blood, eliminate swelling and reduce pain.
Medium and severe damage to the nerve tends to require surgical intervention.
Within the conservative treatment, low-frequency pulsed magnetic therapy has its place, as it targets the symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome. It utilises the analgesic, anti-swelling and healing effects with the support of the regenerative effect. Magnetic therapy mitigates pain, reduces inflammatory processes, stimulates healing and brings general relief.
Home applications are a huge convenience which allow the patient to continue intensive rehabilitation at home, out of hospital facilities.
The possibility to start treatment early in a new issue and the opportunity to perform long-term daily maintenance applications is also a big benefit.