Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, Causes, Symptoms, & Treatment

Carpal tunnel syndrome is one of the most common conditions that affect the hand, and it’s very common worldwide.

Carpal tunnel syndrome

Carpal tunnel syndrome is a condition that affects the median nerve that’s located inside the carpal tunnel, which is a space within the wrist’s bones. The median nerve helps move the forearm and feel most of the hand and fingers.

This condition affects women more than men, and it occurs more after the age of 40.

Causes and risk factors leading to carpal tunnel syndrome

Carpal tunnel syndrome occurs as a result of excessive pressure on the median nerve, and that might occur due to a specific reason or without a clear cause. However, any condition that causes irritation and swelling in the wrist could lead to carpal tunnel syndrome, such as:

Sprains.
Strain injuries.
Wrist fractures.
Arthritis.
Ganglion cysts.

Some factors that increase the risk:

People who have work that requires repetitive motions with their wrists and hands, such as working on the computer and using tools that vibrate.
Family history.
Having some health conditions, such as obesity, diabetes, fluid retention, gout, rheumatoid arthritis, hypothyroidism, and amyloidosis.
Some medications, like anastrozole.

Symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome

Symptoms usually start gradually, and they include:

Pain, numbness, and tingling in the wrist, hand, or fingers (usually all the fingers except of the little one).
Feeling like an electric shock.
Weakness in the hands, which might cause the inability to hold things and dropping them.
In case the condition isn’t treated, carpal tunnel syndrome might cause permanent damage to the nerve.

Diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome

Physical examination.
Imaging tests.
Nerve conduction study.

Treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome

Nonsurgical treatment, such as wearing a specific splint, physical therapy, changing the work posture as much as possible, and some medications.
Surgical treatment.