Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Carpal tunnel syndrome is a disease that causes symptoms such as pain in the wrist and hand, numbness in the hand and arm, especially at night, and decreased dexterity as a result of the compression of the median nerve going into the hand under the ligament called carpal in the wrist. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) is the most common entrapment neuropathy and is seen in 1% of the general population, 2% of the adult population, and about 5% in people who use the wrist frequently with repetitive movements, for example people who uses keyboard at work. It is seen 2-5% more in women than in men. In women between aged 55-65 is seen in the dominant hand of age. Also bilaterally in one of the cases.

In most cases, the cause is unknown. In 5-10% of the cases, there is a history of trauma to the wrist region. Occupational repetitive microtraumas are also among other causes. However, it can also occur due to many systemic diseases such as Rheumatoid arthritis, Chronic kidney failure, Diabetes Mellitus, Gout disease, Amyloidosis, and tumors in the wrist region.

Why Does It Happens?

There are many diseases that are considered to be associated with the development of carpal tunnel syndrome during its course:

• Diabetes
• Thyroid gland diseases
• Excessive fluid retention (fluid retention) during pregnancy and menopause
• Hypertension (high blood pressure
• Autoimmune diseases in which the immune system causes damage to the body’s own cells and tissues.
• Traumas in the wrist region.

What is the Symptoms of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?

The symptoms that occur in carpal tunnel are directly related to the normal functions of the median nerve affected by this disease. As a result of possible pressure on this nerve, which undertakes tasks related to the movement and sensation of a certain part of the hand, some signs and symptoms occur in the patient. We can list these signs and symptoms as follows:

• Pain, tingling, and numbness involving the index, middle, and thumb
• Increased temperature and pain that starts at the wrist and gradually spreads to the arm
• Wrist pain that wakes you up at night
• Weakness in hand muscles

The symptoms that occur in carpal tunnel syndrome often tend to develop slowly over time. It is an important finding whether the complaint of tingling and numbness affects the pinky finger. In other fingers, in addition to numbness, a feeling of electricity may occasionally occur. Some patients wake up at night due to carpal tunnel syndrome wrist pain. Then instinctively feel the need to shake their wrist. AFter that they state that they feel relieved after this movement. Such conditions indicate the presence of carpal tunnel syndrome.

A feeling of weakness is also a symptom that can occur in people with advanced levels. Although rarely, patients may drop an object they hold in their hands. It is due to muscle weakness. Twitching is another symptom of this disorder that affects the muscles.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Treatment

Treatment of this syndrome as a medical product “wrist brace” is a very helpful method. It is for positioning the hand and wrist. It also provides to loosen the press the person does unconciously at night.

If it is needed the doctor may seek help of drugs for carpal tunnel syndrome. Painkillers and anti-phlogistics are the main actors for this disorder. Some doctors prefer steroid injections to escape from inflammation.

In advance level cases carpal tunnel surgery may be needed. The main goal for surgery is to relieve the press of median nerve.

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