Carpal tunnel Syndrome is the commonest condition affecting a single nerve or a mononeuropathy.

It commonly affects IT professionals, chefs, and sportsmen.

It is an inflammation of a nerve known as Median Nerve which runs through a tunnel in the wrist made up of muscle endings in the wrist. It usually happens due to a decrease in the diameter of the tunnel due to various conditions.

Carpel Tunnel Syndrome affects the hand and wrist.

Causes:

• Excessive use of your hand or the wrist which puts pressure on the nerve.
• People with diabetes are prone to CTS, which is a common feature of diabetic neuropathy.
• Autoimmune Diseases
• People who undergo hemodialysis for chronic kidney damage experience a build-up in the hand of a protein called beta 2-microglobulin which may result in CTS.
• Pregnancy: Since there is a hormonal shift in pregnancy and natural retention of water there is a probability of development of CTS during pregnancy.
• Hypothyroidism
• Trauma: Any severe injury to the wrist may lead to carpal tunnel syndrome.

Symptoms of CTS

• Pain in the wrist, especially at night
• Muscle Wasting in the hand
• Difficulty in movement of the wrist
• Pinprick sensation in the hand
• Numbness of the fingers.
• Loss of Temperature and touch sensation in the fingers

Tests

• Neurological Tests
• Clinical Tests
• Blood Tests: Hb1AC, T3, T4, TSH, HGH, etc

Management

• Splinting
• Local Steroid Injections
• Decompression Surgery
• Physiotherapeutic Rehabilitation
• Correction of the underlying cause
• Rest

Useful Tips

• Use a wrist support/mouse pad while using the system
• Stretch your wrist every hour to avoid stiffness of joints.
• Do not keep your wrist on the mouse for a long period of time