A few years ago, carpal tunnel syndrome was considered an exclusively occupational disease of drivers, musicians and milkmaids. After all, such a violation occurs with constant loads and repeated, automatic movements. But in the modern world, tunnel syndrome is a fairly common problem. Symptoms worry almost every second person who works at a computer for a long time. It is also interesting that in women this syndrome is diagnosed twice as often.
The carpal tunnel syndrome is associated with compression of the median nerve between the tendon ligaments and the bone walls. Along with this, inflammation of the joint bags, tendon membranes, muscles, and sometimes osteoarthritis can develop.
Carpal tunnel syndrome: causes
A similar disease can develop for various reasons. The most common is the constant execution of any small movements. In addition, the disease can develop after a wrist injury (fracture, dislocation), which causes tissue swelling and nerve compression. Edema during pregnancy and while taking hormonal drugs can also damage nerve endings.
On the other hand, carpal tunnel syndrome also depends on a genetic predisposition - the characteristics of the complexion, structure of the wrist and the thickness of the bones. Overweight people are more prone to such a violation. This syndrome can be a concomitant disease with gout, tuberculosis, rheumatoid arthritis.
Carpal tunnel syndrome: symptoms
With the development of the disease, the sensitive, and only then the motor nerve roots are damaged. Therefore, the first sign of the syndrome is a periodic loss of sensitivity. People complain about the numbness of the fingers or the entire hand, the inability to hold the item, or a slight tingling sensation on the skin. Typically, these symptoms of change are temporary.
Along with this, there is pain and burning, which from the wrist can spread to the fingers, palm and forearm. In addition, as a result of a violation of innervation, the muscles of the hand begin to weaken, and clear coordination of movements disappears . Symptoms may worsen at night — patients often wake up at night to shake off a numb arm. In the mornings, the movement of the hand is constrained and limited.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: Diagnosis
Only a doctor can make a final diagnosis. To begin with, he must familiarize himself with the patient's complaints, then check all the reflexes. In some cases, electromyography is also used. In such a study, the dependence of muscle contractility on the magnitude of the electric charge is studied. This method helps not only to confirm the presence of a problem, but also to detect the location of the damaged area of the nerve and exclude all other possible diseases.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: Treatment
Treatment is recommended to start as soon as possible. To begin with, it is necessary to eliminate the cause - if it is arthritis, then it is necessary to conduct a course of treatment of the underlying disease. In addition, the patient is advised to avoid brush movements for at least several weeks.
As for drugs, in order to relieve pain, patients are prescribed anti-inflammatory drugs of non-steroidal origin - ibuprofen, aspirin, etc. Reception of diuretics also helps - so you can at least temporarily reduce tissue swelling. As an emergency, a person can be given an injection of steroids in the wrist - this instantly removes puffiness.
With a progressive form of the disease, treatment of tunnel syndrome with surgical intervention is used. During the operation, the wrist channel is opened and its volume is increased by special manipulations.
In addition, the patient should take care of the methods of prevention - do permanent gymnastics for the hands, buy more comfortable furniture, a keyboard or a computer mouse, and relax more.