Carpal tunnel syndrome is a compression of the median nerve, which passes through the wrist and innervates the palm of the hand, which can cause tingling and needles sensation in the thumb, ring, index or middle finger.
Generally, the symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome worsen over time and tend to be more intense at night, being more common in people who make repetitive hand movements daily, but it can also arise due to fractures in the region or chronic diseases, such as diabetes and autoimmune problems.
Carpal tunnel syndrome can be treated with analgesic and anti-inflammatory medications, physical therapy and, in some cases, surgery may be necessary for the symptoms to completely disappear.
Symptoms of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
The main symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome are:
- Tingling or stinging sensation in the hand;
- Swelling in the fingers and/or hand;
- Numbness in the fingers;
- Burning or tingling sensation in the forearm, in some cases;
- Weakness and difficulty holding objects;
- Wrist pain, especially at night;
- Difficulty differentiating heat from cold.
Symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome can appear in just one or both hands and are more intense at night.
If a person identifies any of these symptoms, it is recommended to consult an orthopedist so that an evaluation can be carried out and the most appropriate treatment can be initiated.
How the diagnosis is made
The diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome is made by the orthopedist based on the assessment of symptoms, in addition to a physical examination in which movements are performed with the wrist in order to check whether the person feels pain and how intense it is.
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To complete the diagnosis, the doctor may also recommend tests, such as wrist X-rays, ultrasound or electroneuromyography, to assess possible damage to peripheral nerves. Learn more about the electroneuromyography exam.
Possible causes
Carpal tunnel syndrome is caused by compression of the median nerve that passes through the wrist and innervates the palm of the hand, resulting in symptoms.
Some factors can increase the risk of developing carpal tunnel syndrome, such as:
- Anatomical changes in the carpal tunnel;
- Repeated movements with the hand and/or wrist;
- Wrist fractures or dislocations;
- Obesity;
- Diabetes;
- Menopause;
- Rheumatoid arthritis.
In addition, thyroid dysfunction, fluid retention, lymphedema, kidney disease, high blood pressure or use of medications such as anastrozole can also increase the risk of carpal tunnel syndrome.
How the treatment is carried out
The treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome must be guided by the orthopedist according to the symptoms presented and aims to reduce pressure and inflammation of the nerve, which helps to reduce pain and discomfort.
The main treatments for carpal tunnel syndrome are:
- Restand movements that overload the wrist should be avoided;
- Wristbandwhich is an orthopedic bracelet that serves to immobilize the wrist, and which can also be used at night, which helps to reduce the tingling sensation and pain;
- Analgesic or anti-inflammatory medicationssuch as ibuprofen or paracetamol, which reduce local inflammation, relieving the pain caused by the syndrome;
- Physiotherapywith exercises that help to reduce inflammation and reduce compression of the median nerve;
- Corticosteroid injectionswhich are administered by the doctor in the carpal tunnel region, to reduce swelling and pressure on the median nerve.
Furthermore, in cases where carpal tunnel syndrome is caused by diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, it is important to start appropriate treatment for this problem in order to completely eliminate the symptoms. See more details on the treatment for carpal tunnel syndrome.
Surgery for carpal tunnel syndrome is normally only performed in more serious cases, where it is not possible to alleviate symptoms with other treatments.
Thus, during surgery, the doctor makes a cut in the ligament that is putting pressure on the median nerve, resolving the symptoms. Learn more about surgery for carpal tunnel syndrome.
Natural treatment for carpal tunnel syndrome
Another way to alleviate symptoms is to apply a hot water bottle to your wrist for 10 minutes and then perform stretching exercises, stretching your arm and bending your wrist from one side to the other about 10 times.
At the end, a cold water bottle should be applied for another 10 minutes and the process should be repeated up to twice a day.
See more tips for treating carpal tunnel syndrome in the video below:
Bibliography
- YOU, J.; et al. Manual Therapy and Related Interventions for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. J Integr Complement Med. 28. 12; 919-926, 2022
- AMERICAN ACADEMY OF ORTHOPAEDIC SURGEONS. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. Available at: <https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/diseases–conditions/carpal-tunnel-syndrome/>. Accessed on April 13, 2022
- NHS. Carpal tunnel syndrome. Available at: <https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/carpal-tunnel-syndrome/>. Accessed on April 13, 2022
- CHAMMAS, Michel et. al.. Carpal tunnel syndrome – Part I (anatomy, physiology, etiology and diagnosis). Brazilian Journal of Orthopedics. 49. 5; 429-436, 2014
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