 
The Carpal Tunnel Syndrome ( CTS )
WHAT IS CARPAL TUNNEL SYNDROME?
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is a pinched nerve (called the Median nerve) in the wrist.
SYMPTOMS - What does it feel like?
Not all carpal tunnel syndromes are created equal. Most people with carpal tunnel have similar problems but not always identical.
Here is a list of the most common symptoms.
Numbness in one or both hands which comes and goes or stays all the time.
Numbness often feels like it is in the entire hand even though it's in the thumb, index and middle fingers.
Numbness starts while writing, driving, sewing, holding a book or newspaper or when typing.
You wake up with your hands feeling numb or painful. You hang your hand down and shake it to get relief.
You drop things, especially small objects, from your hand.
Sometimes you feel "shocks" from the center of your wrist into your hand.
Sometimes you may feel all these symptoms or you may only have one or two of the symptoms.
Who gets carpal tunnel Syndrome?
Many, many people. It's the most common nerve problem affecting peoples' hands.
Anyone can have it. The majority are women between 40 and 55 years old.
Sometimes young women get carpal tunnel symptoms while pregnant.
Golfers, meat cutters, carpenters, weightlifters and bicycle riders often have carpal tunnel syndrome.
Why does carpal tunnel happen?
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome results when there is inflamation or pressure on the Median nerve as it passes through the wrist.
The carpal tunnel is a small canal or tunnel near the base of the palm of your hand. The nerve is surrounded by bones, tendons and a thick ligament.
Many believe that constant repetitive use of the hand causes the problem. This is referred to as repetitive or accumulative trauma disorders.
Whether doing repetitive work (like using a keyboard) actually causes carpal tunnel or whether it just aggravates the symptoms once you have it is still debatable.
Injuries such as a broken wrist or disclocated hand bones harms the nerve.
Medical conditions such as arthritis and thyroid problems affect the nerve.
Tumors can cause it.
Sometimes it just seems to happen for no good reason.
Will it get worse and can I wait too long to get help?
Yes it can get worse and you should get it checked if you have the symptoms.
Left untreated, the carpal tunnel syndrome that is progressing can result in weakness of the small muscles in the hand.
Carpal tunnel can result in a "blind" hand. In other words you lose the feeling in the thumb, index and middle fingers. This makes it almost impossible to do things by feel. Difficulty feeling buttons to button, holding nuts and bolts where you cant see them are frequent complaints.
How do I get it checked? What tests do I need?
It's a good idea to see a person who understands the details of nerve and muscle problems. Good sources for help include Hand surgeons, Orthopedic Surgeons, Neurosurgeons and Physical Therapists who specialize in hand and nerve problems.
We recommend that you have electromyography and nerve conduction studies to be sure where the problem is and how bad it may be. It's probably well to wait until after the delivery for symptoms during pregnancy (ask your OB about this).
Can other nerve problems feel the same?
Yes, there are some other conditions that act the same. Some of those problems are caused by pressure on the same Median Nerve but in different parts of the arm.
There are places in the forearm where the nerve can be irritated or entrapped. There are subtle differences in the symptoms. Examination by a person who has an expert understanding of these types of problems is important.
Medical conditions such as diabetes or alcoholism may act like carpal tunnel syndrome. Other nerves can cause tingling and numbness in the hands and arm. Here are other nerve problems that cause tingling and numbness.
If you have any concern or questions about Stroke or Heart Attack as a source of arm and hand pain, you may want to call your 911.
To read more about heart and stroke related hand and arm discomfort, please click here for helpful links.
What can I do to help?
Try to vary your activity so that you are not doing the same thing over and over without rest or change.
Try not to do things that require you to bend or squeeze your fingers while your wrist is bent. Try keeping your wrist straight when grasping tools, and gardening implements.
Wearing a splint (wrist support) often helps relieve the symptoms, especially at night.
Pay close attention to where the tingling is located. It may feel like the "whole hand" but if you pay close attention you will notice that the little finger is not tingling. This helps your medical person determine what nerve is having the problem.
Often you just need to let the Hand or Orthopedic doctor do his/her thing.
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