Have you ever heard of carpal tunnel syndrome? This is a condition that many people develop as a result of the overuse of their hands.
What is carpal tunnel syndrome?
Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) occurs when the median nerve passing through the wrist is pinched or compressed, causing a progressively painful condition. The carpal tunnel consists of the carpal bones and the transverse carpal ligament.
The carpal tunnel is a tiny canal connecting your arm and hand that is bordered by an inflexible bony band. This band contains nine tendons and the median nerve.
Carpal tunnel syndrome is caused by a variety of factors. Because some people’s carpal tunnels are smaller, they are more prone to experience pressure on the median nerve. A sprain or fracture to the wrist can produce swelling in the carpal tunnel, leading to nerve compression.
Other factors, such as arthritis, thyroid disease, diabetes, pregnancy, repeated use of vibratory tools (e.g. jackhammer or drill), or prolonged extreme bending of the wrist can all result in nerve irritation, causing CTS.
Common symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome?
On the palm side of their hand, many people describe waking up with numbness in their thumb, index, middle, and part of their ring fingers. Others say their hand, wrist, or forearm hurts or hurts a lot.
Patients may be clumsy and drop things, as well as have difficulty with fine motor skills like buttoning a shirt or picking up coins. When twisting a key or opening a jar, a weakening grasp or pinch from chronic CTS can cause issues.
How can a hand therapist help treat carpal tunnel syndrome?
Hand therapy is a safe and effective method of treatment for tons of upper extremity conditions, including CTS.
Our hand therapist in Fort Myers, FL can help reduce the symptoms of CTS by first performing a complete evaluation to determine the main cause of the problem. He or she might recommend wearing a brace at night to keep the wrist in a safe position, or during the day for activities that might irritate the nerve. A hand therapist can provide patient education and recommendations for modifications to reduce symptoms during activities of daily living, work tasks, and recreational activities. A hand therapist may also prescribe specific exercises to help in the recovery or prevention of future CTS occurrences.
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