When performing certain tasks for an everyday or office job, and the carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) strikes, an individual can really feel the unpleasant pain. The hands, as well as the fingers and arms will all be affected with a pinching of the nerve. This major nerve passes through the hand at the wrist, which is referred to as the carpal tunnel.
Signs of carpal tunnel syndrome include not only pain in these areas but numbing or tingling in the area as well. During the pm right before bed is often when the signs are at the worst.
They may also cause the individual to wake up in the middle of the night in pain. This is due to the fact that most individuals sleep with their hands flexed.
Repetitive hand movements may cause carpal tunnel. This can happen if the work load is heavy or light. Other factors that influence carpal tunnel syndrome include pregnancy, being overweight, diabetes and hypothyroidism.
As soon as symptoms are seen, it is important that an individual takes the proper steps to receive treatment. Wrist splinting may be used for mild to moderate cases, and anti-inflammatory remedies may be used.
Treating Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
This medication may be taken orally or could be administered with a needle. These medications will only help with the pain and the inflammation, and will not make the area better. This is the same for corticosteroids. Non-surgical treatments are usually only effective if they are done within 10 months after symptoms on a mild to moderate case appear.
For severe signs of carpal tunnel syndrome, surgery may be required. There are two different methods that can be used for treating carpal tunnel syndrome that will be decided at the discretion of the doctor doing the surgery.
Of these two surgeries, one will require the entire wrist to be opened up while the other only requires two small cuts.
After the surgery, there may be swelling and weakness in the affected area. Physical therapy may be used for treating carpal tunnel syndrome to get normal functioning and movements of the hand after the surgery. The individual may still suffer with some of the symptoms after surgery if they had a severe case of CTS prior to surgery.
Via: www.nhs.uk
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