The carpal tunnel is a narrow passageway
between the bones and ligaments in your wrist. The median nerve, which controls
sensation in the fingers and some muscles in the hand, passes through this
tunnel along with some of the finger tendons. Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS)
develops when there is pressure on the median nerve where it goes through
the carpal tunnel.
Doing activities that use the same
finger or hand movements over
and over again can cause CTS. Other
causes include being overweight,
a cyst (ganglion) on the tendon sheath in the
wrist, or rheumatoid arthritis. Previous wrist injuries, pregnancy, diabetes,
thyroid disease, and taking birth control pills also may increase your risk
for CTS.
Pressure on the median nerve causes
the following symptoms of CTS:
Numbness or tingling in the fingers of one or both hands,
except for the little finger.
Numbness or pain in your hand or wrist that wakes you up
at night.
Numbness or pain that gets worse when you use your hand
or wrist, especially when you grip an object or bend (flex) your wrist.
Occasional aching pain in your arm from your hand to your
shoulder.
A weak grip.
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| Pain and tingling in the hand may be caused
by pressure on a nerve in the wrist. |
Stop any activity that you think may be causing finger,
hand, or wrist numbness or pain. If your symptoms improve when you stop
an activity, resume that activity gradually and with greater efforts
to keep your wrist straight or only slightly bent.
Use your whole hand (not just your fingers and thumb)
to grasp objects.
Reduce the speed and force of repetitive hand movements
such as typing.
Switch hands and change positions often when you are
doing repeated motions.
Take frequent breaks and rest your hands.
If you are not able to change positions or equipment
at work often enough to prevent numbness or pain, wear a wrist splint
that will reduce the stress on your fingers, hand, or wrist.
Pay attention to your posture. When you are typing, make
sure your fingers are lower than your wrists (using a keyboard wrist
support may help). When your forearms are hanging by your sides, keep
your shoulders relaxed.
Keeping your arm, hand, and finger muscles strong and
flexible and maintaining good overall fitness will also help prevent
the symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome.
Avoid using too much salt if you tend to retain fluid.
Follow the Prevention tips above.
Use aspirin or ibuprofen to relieve pain and reduce swelling.
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Avoid sleeping on your hands. Wear a wrist splint at
night to relieve pressure on your wrist.
Do simple range-of-motion exercises with your fingers
and wrist to prevent stiffening. Stop if you have pain.
Other lifestyle changes such as losing weight, quitting
smoking, reducing the amount of alcohol you drink, and controlling diabetes
may help relieve symptoms of CTS that are related to swelling.
Vitamin B6 has not been shown to be an effective treatment
for CTS.
If tingling, numbness, weakness, or pain in your fingers
and hand has not gone away after 2 weeks of Home Treatment.
If you have little or no feeling in your fingers or hand.
If you cannot do simple hand movements, or you accidentally
drop things.
If you cannot pinch your thumb and first finger together
or your pinch is weak.
If you cannot use your thumb (no thumb strength).
If you have problems at work because of pain in your
fingers or hand.
If you are considering surgery to treat carpal tunnel syndrome,
gather as much information as possible about the risks and benefits
of surgical treatment. Getting all the facts and thinking about your
own needs and values will help you work with your doctor to make a
wise health decision.
