The Carpal Tunnel is a narrow passageway is located at the base of the hand near the wrist and is comprised of ligament and bone. Within the “tunnel” are nerves and tendons. One of those nerves is the Median Nerve. The Median Nerve runs from the forearm to the hand and controls the impulses that run to the palm, thumb and fingers. Repetitive activity and/or injury can cause the Carpal Tunnel to become thickened, making the passageway smaller, and as a result the Median Nerve is compressed. The result of this compression can be pain, weakness, or numbness in the hand and wrist. As CTS progresses, these sensations may become so acute and persistent that an afflicted person can no longer perform the simplest of tasks, such as grasping objects. If CTS is left untreated, hand muscles deteriorate and may result in permanent disability.
The risk of developing Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) isn’t limited to a particular job or activity, but is most common in jobs or hobbies that require repetitive motions, such as assembly line work and sewing. CTS is three times more common among assemblers than among data-entry personnel. Women are three times more likely to develop CTS than are men. In addition to repetitive motion, other factors may also cause CTS, such as a trauma or injury to the wrist that causes swelling.
Although there are a number of treatment options for CTS, early diagnosis is the key to preventing permanent damage to the Median Nerve. If you already have CTS, then you should consider which treatment options are best for you and act quickly.
Traditional options often include surgery as a treatment for CTS. But since CTS is easily misdiagnosed, especially in its early stages, you’ll want to get a second opinion before you submit to the pain and costs of surgery. Other treatment options may also include medications for pain. But long term use of pain medications, even aspirin, can cause permanent digestive track and other complications.
