Carpal tunnel syndrome
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The carpal tunnel is the passageway in the wrist, bounded by ligaments, through which pass the nerves and tendons that flex the fingers and wrist.
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Carpal Tunnel Syndrome refers to swelling in the carpal tunnel, from any causes, will therefore tend to compress the median nerve and interfere with the conduction of nerve impulses. The result is burning, tingling and numbness , sometimes even pain in the palm of the hand and thumb, index and middle fingers.
Causes:
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Prolonged flex the fingers and wrist
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Prolonged abnormal posture of wrist
e.g. wrong posture when using keyboard and mouse -
Post-traumatic inflammation e.g. fracture
Symptoms:
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Pain and tingling is often most troublesome
at night or waking in the morning -
Numbness in these fingers rendering the difficulty to
handle small objects and this is accompanied
by the weakening of the tendons in the wrist
causing clumsiness of the hand -
Causing atrophy of thumb muscle
Prevention:
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Avoid repeated flexing of the wrist,
e.g. rest the wrist frequently while using the computer -
To perform stretch exercise regularly
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To maintain the good working posture
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Using suitable wrist support or pads while using the computer
Treatment:
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Fascial manipulation, cold and heat therapy, magnetic field therapy, interferential therapy, acupuncture and wrist exercise can reduce the pain, the pressure of carpal tunnel and inflammation.
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Using suitable splinting of the wrist can reduce the pressure of the carpal tunnel.
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If necessary, client may consider steroid injection to reduce the inflammation.
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In severe condition, the client can undergo the operation.
