Carpal Tunnel Syndrome - What Is It?
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is a condition where a nerve that runs between the hand and forearm, called the median nerve, gets pinched at the wrist. Because the median nerve controls sensations to much of the hand, if the nerve is pinched, the result is numbness, pain, weakness or a combination of the three in the hand and arm.
The carpal tunnel is a passageway near the wrist that houses the median nerve. If this area becomes irritated and inflamed, it can pinch the nerve.
Painful, numb or weak sensations in the arm, wrist or hand do not always indicate the presence of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, but this condition is the most common condition to cause these sensations.
What Causes Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome generally occurs due to a combination of factors, including:
- Genetics - Those with smaller carpal tunnels are more prone to Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.
- Trauma or injury to the wrist
- Hormonal issues - Including increased activity in the pituitary gland and hypothyroidism.
- Physical stress - notably repeated vibrating (from tools and other machinery)
- Fluid retention - Increases swelling in the joints.
- Development of a tumor in the canal
- Rheumatoid arthritis
It should be noted that repetitive activities that cause aches in the forearm, fingers and wrist are not necessarily symptoms of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.
Signs of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome's signs include the following:
- Gradual and frequent burning, tingling, or itching numbness in the palm and the fingers.
- Feeling of swollen fingers.
- Decreased grip strength.
- Difficultly in forming a fist and grasping small objects.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome ResearchLong-term trends in carpal tunnel syndrome.Primary Author: R GelfmanPrimary Author: Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, College of Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA. gelfman.russell@mayo.eduDate Published: 2009 01 05Abstract: OBJECTIVE: To assess temporal trends in carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) incidence, surgical treatment, and work-related lost time. METHODS: Incident CTS and first-time carpal tunnel release among Olmsted County, Minnesota, residents were identified using the medical records linkage system of the Rochester Epidemiology Project; 80% of a sample were confirmed by medical record review. Work-related CTS was identified from the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry. RESULTS: Altogether, 10,069 Olmsted County residents were initially diagnosed with CTS in 1981-2005. Overall incidence (adjusted to the 2000 US population) was 491 and 258 per 100,000 person-years for women vs men (p < 0.0001) and 376 per 100,000 for both sexes combined. Adjusted annual rates increased from 258 per 100,000 in 1981-1985 to 424 in 2000-2005 (p < 0.0001). The average annual incidence of carpal tunnel release surgery was 109 per 100,000, while that for work-related CTS was 11 per 100,000. An increase in young, working-age individuals seeking medical attention for symptoms of less severe CTS in the early to mid-1980s was followed in the 1990s by an increasing incidence in elderly people. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of medically diagnosed carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) accelerated in the 1980s. The cause of the increase is unclear, but it corresponds to an epidemic of CTS cases resulting in lost work days that began in the mid-1980s and lasted through the mid-1990s. The elderly present with more severe disease and are more likely to have carpal tunnel surgery, which may have significant health policy implications given the aging population.
Carpal tunnel syndrome: electrophysiological grading and surgical results by minimum incision open carpal tunnel release.Primary Author: Jun-ichi IidaPrimary Author: Department of Neurosurgery, Nara Medical University, Kashihara, Nara, Japan.Date Published: 2008 12 24Abstract: The safety and effectiveness of the minimum incision technique were assessed in 138 hands of 108 consecutive patients with carpal tunnel syndrome treated from April 1, 1997 to March 31, 2006. Clinical and electrophysiological examinations were conducted before and after surgical decompression. All hands were divided into early, mild, moderate, and severe groups based on preoperative electrophysiological severity. We examined the surgical outcomes of the affected hands in each group. Nocturnal or daytime dysesthesia, which had been present in 132 (96%) of the 138 hands preoperatively, was completely relieved in 124 (94%) of the 132 hands. Complete relief was achieved in 7 (100%) of the 7 hands in the early group, 68 (99%) of the 69 hands in the mild group, and 45 (94%) of the 48 hands in the moderate group. Complete relief was achieved only in 4 (50%) of the 8 hands in the severe group, and 3 (38%) of the 8 hands did not show any improvement. No painful or hypertrophic scar formation was observed in this series. Only 2 patients complained of postoperative scar discomfort after more than 12 months, which completely disappeared by 14 months after surgery. Minimum incision open carpal tunnel release is a safe and reliable procedure with a high rate of functional improvement and patient satisfaction. Postoperative results were satisfactory regardless of the degree of preoperative electrophysiological severity if preoperative sensory nerve action potentials were detected.
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