How Is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Treated
Carpal tunnel syndrome can be treated in two ways: non-surgically or with surgery. There are pros and cons to both approaches. Typically, non-surgical treatments are used for less severe cases and allow you to continue with daily activities without interruption. Surgical treatments can help in more severe cases and have very positive outcomes.
Non-surgical treatments
Non-surgical treatments are usually tried first. Treatment begins by:
- Wearing a wrist splint at night.
Other treatments focus on ways to change your environment to decrease symptoms. This is often seen in the workplace, where you can make modifications to help with carpal tunnel. These changes might include:
- Raising or lowering your chair.
- Moving your computer keyboard.
- Changing your hand/wrist position while doing activities.
- Using recommended splints, exercises and heat treatments from a hand therapist.
Surgical treatments
Surgery is recommended when carpal tunnel syndrome does not respond to non-surgical treatments or has already become severe. The goal of surgery is to increase the size of the tunnel in order to decrease the pressure on the nerves and tendons that pass through the space. This is done by cutting the ligament that covers the carpal tunnel at the base of the palm. This ligament is called the transverse carpal ligament.
If you have surgery, you can expect to:
How Do I Know If I Have Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Your doctor may use a handful of tests to diagnose carpal tunnel syndrome and rule out other causes of hand and wrist pain.
Theyâll probably start with questions about your medical history. Then theyâll examine your hands, arms, shoulders, and neck to figure out if your pain results from another condition, like an injury or arthritis. Theyâll also make sure your daily activities arenât to blame.
The doctor may focus on your wrist to see if the area is tender, swollen, warm, or discolored. Theyâll probably test each finger to see if youâve lost any feeling. And theyâll check the strength of the muscles in your hand.
After that, they may do tests focusing on the median nerve, which runs through your forearm into your hand. When that nerve gets pressed or squeezed through the carpal tunnel, it causes carpal tunnel syndrome.
Causes Of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Several factors can also increase your risk of developing CTS, including:
- The repetitive motion of the wrist, such as typing or using a mouse
- Thyroid problems
If you have even one of the risk factors above, you may likely develop CTS. However, it is essential to note that many people with CTS have no known risk factors.
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Understanding Carpal Tunnel Pain In The Hands
Conversely, carpal tunnel syndrome is caused as a result of compression of the median nerve and wear and tear over time.6,8 This nerve extends from the forearm through the wrist and into the hand.7 Repetitive work, a wrist fracture, and chronic diseases like diabetes are risk factors for developing carpal tunnel syndrome.8,9 Inflammatory conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis, can lead to carpal tunnel syndrome as well.10
Carpal tunnel syndrome feels like numbness and tingling in the hands that can be described as a pins and needles sensation.6,7,8This condition gets worse with use, especially while gripping objects or bending the wrist. Symptoms may be felt in either one hand or both hands and symptoms tend to be worse at night. Nonsurgical therapies for treatment include nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and wrist splinting.7,11 Surgery may be required for severe cases to relieve pressure on the median nerve.
What Are The Causes Of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Carpal tunnel syndrome is often the result of a combination of factors that increase pressure on the median nerve and tendons in the carpal tunnel, rather than a problem with the nerve itself. Contributing factors include trauma or injury to the wrist that cause swelling, such as sprain or fracture an overactive pituitary gland an underactive thyroid gland and rheumatoid arthritis. Other factors that may contribute to the compression include mechanical problems in the wrist joint, repeated use of vibrating hand tools, fluid retention during pregnancy or menopause, or the development of a cyst or tumor in the canal. Often, no single cause can be identified.
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The Invisible Link Between Carpal Tunnel And Arthritis
Is there a link between Carpal Tunnel and Arthritis?
Can Carpal Tunnel cause Arthritis?
With Carpal Tunnel and Wrist Tendonitis being such a prevalent issue that involves various pains and symptoms in the wrist area, one can start to wonder if there is any connection to the development, onset, and progression of Arthritis.
The same dynamic that causes Carpal Tunnel Symptoms can cause Arthritis. So if you figure out why you got CTS, then it’s highly likely you’ll know what caused your arthritis .
Can You Name Your Situation
Joint swelling in arthritis can also cause compression of the nerves in the hand or wrist, which can lead to numbness, tingling, and pain. Your healthcare provider will perform some specific tests to find out the problem.
carpal tunnel
- Reduces muscle mass in the fleshy part of the hand at the base of the thumb
- Positive Tinels sign, or burning or tingling sensation when the median nerve is tapped
- A positive Phalen sign, a test to assess pain when your arm is held vertically and your wrist is bent 90 degrees for 60 seconds
- Weakness or poor dexterity in pinching movements
- Pain that worsens at night or wakes you from sleep
arthritis
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Now To Treat Arthritis
Once I understood her medical history better, I asked Christina about her experience with the CarpalRx.
She said,
The CarpalRx got rid of pain from my fingers all the way to my elbow. Im so happy with the results. But my middle finger joint is still swollen. My rheumatologist said thats because of the RA.
Christina said the Plaquenil helped a lot, but the RA symptoms were not going away especially in the knuckle of her middle finger.
Indeed, the CarpalRx eliminated all of thesymptoms associated with carpal tunnel,leaving only the RA symptoms behind.
Therefore, Christina asked,Is it safe to use the CarpalRx on my swollen middle knuckles?
I said,”Sure!”
Here why…
What Is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Carpal tunnel syndrome is a condition that develops when the small space in the carpal tunnel is reduced even more by swelling or inflammation. Overuse or misuse of the wrist can cause inflammation in the tendons that pass through the carpal tunnel . This inflammation can lead to compression of the median nerve and result in repetitive strain injury.
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You Can Learn More About Contributing Factors Or Causes Of Carpal Tunnel Here
There are several different types of Arthritis that can affect the area around the Hand and Wrist. The types most relevant to Carpal Tunnel Syndrome are listed below:
Avascular Necrosis in the Bones of the Wrist
when the bone tissue is damaged, embrittled, fractured or actually dies due to restricted blood flow to the bone. Since most people with CTS always have restricted blood flow to the hand, wrist and forearm this is a condition of which one should be acutely aware if CTS has gone untreated for many years. Usually, prior trauma from a fall or accident combines with restricted blood flow from CTS or some other condition to contributing to an Avascular Necrosis condition. Swelling of the Carpal Bones from this condition can actually contribute to CTS. So, these two condition can be cyclical one contributing to the other.
Rheumatoid Arthritis
This is an autoimmune disorder that will also contribute to Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. It is a chronic condition that over time will lead to bone and joint deformation. It affects the joint lining and causes the joints to swell. It can contribute to Carpal Tunnel through swelling as well as through formation of scar tissue and deformation of the bone with rheumatoid nodules or bumps.
Osteoarthritis
This is the classic arthritic condition associated with wear and tear repeated minor trauma over and over again throughout a life time. It usually begins in people over 50 years of age.
Post-Traumatic Arthritis
Unsure If You Have Carpal Tunnel Call Core Orthopedics Today
If you believe that you have one of these conditions, the next step is to get a confirmation from a medical professional. The expert doctors at CORE Orthopedics believe in treating carpal tunnel syndrome symptoms early before they affect your everyday life.
*Disclaimer: Going without treatment will cause the symptoms to worsen and possibly lead to surgery. If you suspect that you have one of these conditions, dont wait. Speak to a medical professional as soon as possible.
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The Difference Between Carpal Tunnel And Rheumatoid Arthritis
When it comes to pain associated with carpal tunnel syndrome and rheumatoid arthritis, it can be difficult to distinguish the difference between the two. Many people experience pain in their hands and wrists, but are unsure which is the culprit. Lets take a look at what both carpal tunnel syndrome and rheumatoid arthritis are all about and the difference in the pain associated with each one.
My Advice For Patients With Arthritis & Carpal Tunnel
If you have arthritis & carpal tunnel syndrome, my advice to Christina is the same. That is:
Use the CarpalRx. For RA, a gentle knuckle massage will feel wonderful. It won’t treat the arthritis, but it will ease the pain. Pay attention and dont massage too hard because it might irritate.
Christina concluded by praising the CarpalRx in getting rid of most of her hand pain. She said it changed her life.My satisfaction in hearing that never ends.
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Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: Do You Know The Signs
If youve suddenly found yourself with a numb or tingling hand, you may be suffering from a condition known as Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. This surprisingly common but rarely spoken about condition is caused by internal pressure on a nerve in the wrist. In this post, well be telling you everything you need to know about Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and its symptoms, so you can spot the signs and know when you need to seek help.
What causes Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is caused by pressure on the median nerve, a major nerve which runs the length of the arm, through the wrist, and to the base of the hand. When it reaches the wrist, it must go through the carpal tunnel, which is a narrow passage surrounded by ligaments and bone and leads to the bottom of the palm.
Internal pressure on the nerve as it passes through the carpal tunnel can cause a feeling of numbness or pins and needles, usually affecting the thumb, index, middle, and sometimes ring fingers. It can be brought on by all sorts of things, but the most common causes are repetitive work with the hands, a thyroid hormone imbalance, osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis in the wrist, or fractures and breaks. It can also begin during pregnancy but usually clears up once the baby has been delivered.
What are the main symptoms?
- A burning sensation in the hand and digits
- Pain in your hand at night
- Pain when using your hand
- Weakness in the hand or wrist
Who is most at risk?
How is it treated?
Time to get help?
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Weekend Wellness: Carpal Tunnel Affects Hands Symptoms Differ From Arthritis
DEAR MAYO CLINIC: I have a job in which I make repetitive movements with my hand, and have had pain and numbness in my hand for years. I assumed it was due to osteoarthritis, which I was diagnosed with 20 years ago. But my doctor thinks it may be carpal tunnel syndrome. Are the two conditions related? How is carpal tunnel syndrome diagnosed?
ANSWER: Although carpal tunnel syndrome and osteoarthritis can happen together, the causes of the two conditions are not related. But if you are diagnosed with osteoarthritis and carpal tunnel syndrome, effective treatments are available for both.
When you have arthritis within your hand, the two most common places to get it are the ends of the finger joints and at the base of the thumb. From your description, it sounds like you may have thumb arthritis. Arthritis happens when the cartilage in your joints wears away. Without cartilage to cushion them, the ends of the bones in the joint rub together. That can lead to a variety of symptoms.
The most common symptom of thumb arthritis is pain at the base of the thumb. Other signs and symptoms may include swelling, stiffness and tenderness at the base of your thumb, a lack of strength when you grasp objects, and a decreased range of thumb motion. A diagnosis of thumb arthritis typically involves a review of symptoms, along with an imaging exam, such as an X-ray, that can show the loss of cartilage.
When To See A Doctor
See your doctor as soon as possible if you have any pain, numbness, or other symptoms in your hands and wrists. It is important to treat carpal tunnel syndrome and arthritis as early as possible.
Waiting too long to see a doctor can lead to damage or complications to the bones and nerves in your wrists and hands.
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What Is Arthritis Of The Wrist & Hand
Arthritis is the inflammation of joints triggered by wear and tear to the bones and cartilage. The main symptoms of wrist arthritis include pain, tenderness, inflammation, redness, stiffness, warmth at the joint, and decreased range of movement.
There are two main types of arthritis:
- Osteoarthritisis caused by repeated wear and tear and grinding in the joints after the cartilage has been damaged or worn away. This most often occurs in older individuals or those who perform tasks that require extensive use of the wrist and hand joints.
- Rheumatoid arthritis, a degenerative disease, can affect the wrist and hand as well. This is an immune disorder that causes the body to attack the joints. It is often accompanied by visible swelling and twisting or distortion of the joints.
As mentioned above, both forms of wrist and hand arthritis have symptoms in common, including pain, swelling, and difficulty with movement. However, osteoarthritis is usually felt in the joints closest to the ends of the fingers. The discomfort may go away after moving around and using the joint. Rheumatoid arthritis is more likely to affect the wrists, with pain that lasts longer in the mornings and is more difficult to alleviate with movement.
Some people who have wrist arthritis will develop carpal tunnel syndrome, but this doesnt happen to everyone.
Carpal Tunnel And Arthritisgo Hand In Hand
The factor we need to pay attention to in a context of getting or avoiding Arthritis, is the part of the dynamic where muscles get tight, and stay tight.
When a muscle is tight, the tendons that connect muscle to bone get pulled on. So whatever the tendon connects to gets pulled on.
So if your forearm muscles connect to the forearm, and the hand and fingers. If your forearm muscles are tight, they pull your hand bones into your forearm bones. This compresses your wrist joint and finger joints.
Muscles get tight and stay tight, and in fact that tightness becomes the new ‘normal’. So even when you sleeping and theoretically ‘relaxing’, your wrist and/or your finger joints are getting compressed.
When you are using your hands during the day, every time you move your hands and fingers, those compressed joints then grind on each other.
The tighter your muscles, the more pressure the bones grind on each other with.
Point being, the same factors that cause Carpal Tunnel Syndrome can also cause arthritis in hands and fingers.
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Difference Between Carpal Tunnel And Arthritis
While several forms of arthritis and carpal tunnel syndrome can both cause pain in the hand and wrist, certain features of each condition can differentiate the two. Carpal tunnel syndrome pain is primarily the result of a pinched nerve, whereas arthritis is swelling and inflammation of the joint itself.
Treatment For Carpal Tunnel:
A patient can wear a splint or brace at night while they are sleeping. The goal is to keep the wrist straight to stop the pressure on the nerve. Corticosteroids can be injected directly into the carpal tunnel region to relieve pain and patients can take anti-inflammatory medications. In extreme cases, surgery may be needed to reduce the pressure on the nerve.
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What Is Carpal Tunnel Relief Surgery
Duringcarpal tunnel relief surgery, the surgeon increases the size of the opening in the carpal tunnel. Then, they sever the transverse carpal ligament. These procedures relieve the pressure on the nerve, bringing relief in a few weeks.
Carpal tunnel relief surgery is usually an outpatient procedure done under local or regional anesthesia. It can be done with an open incision orarthroscopically, depending on what you and your surgeon decide is the best option for you.