Have you been experiencing numbness or tingling in your hand? You might describe it as a swollen feeling, electrical buzzing sensation or you may have difficulty performing certain tasks. You may begin dropping objects, have grip weakness, night pain, or numbness while holding a phone or driving. There’s a chance that you can be suffering from carpal tunnel syndrome. In addition, carpal tunnel pain and symptoms more often affect the thumb, index finger, middle finger, and part of the ring finger.
Carpal tunnel syndrome gets its name from the narrow passageway of ligaments and bones that are found where the wrist meets the hand. The passageway contains median nerves and tendons. When the tendons are irritated by swelling or other trauma, it causes the nerve to be compressed, thus sending the pain or numbness through the arm and hands. There can be many causes of the discomfort including trauma, work stress, certain illnesses like hypothyroidism, rheumatoid arthritis, or diabetes, and repeated movements involving the wrist and hands.
If you feel like you might be suffering from carpal tunnel syndrome, it’s important to visit your doctor and describe your symptoms. Doctors can typically use unobtrusive physical testing methods to determine if, in fact, you suffer from carpal tunnel syndrome. While there are varying degrees of carpal tunnel, it can luckily be an easy fix for most people. For mild to moderate cases doctors may recommend physical therapy, paying close attention to posture and wrist usage during certain tasks, or simple wrist splints. In cases where the pain is intense or prolonged, there are also surgical options that may be discussed. If you have any concerns about the function in your wrist or hands, contact NewSouth NeuroSpine. We can help you get on the path toward pain-free living!
