Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

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Learn more about CTS and what causes its symptoms.

Dealing With Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) impacts millions of individuals across the United States. Within your wrist, there are eight bones that form a U-shaped channel, which houses various tendons and the median nerve. This channel is referred to as the carpal tunnel. The median nerve is responsible for providing sensation to the palm side of your first three and a half fingers. Chiropractic adjustment treatments may offer relief from the associated pain.

When this nerve sensation is compressed or irritated as it navigates through the carpal tunnel, it leads to the development of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. CTS is the most prevalent form of nerve entrapment, affecting approximately 3-5% of the general population. Statistically, women are affected two to three times more often than men. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome predominantly occurs in adults aged 45 to 60.

Risk Factors of CTS

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) can be triggered by extended wrist flexion and repetitive wrist movements, such as scanning items in a supermarket, typing on a keyboard, engaging in carpentry, or performing assembly line tasks. Additionally, exposure to vibration or cold temperatures may exacerbate the condition and lead to its progression.

Typically, CTS affects the dominant hand; however, it can also involve both hands in some individuals. Common risk factors for diagnosing CTS include diabetes, thyroid disorders, rheumatoid arthritis, alcoholism, kidney disease, and being of short stature or overweight. Furthermore, fluid retention during pregnancy is often associated with the onset of carpal tunnel symptoms.

Symptoms of CTS

Among the most prevalent symptoms associated with the onset of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) are numbness, tingling, or discomfort affecting the palm side of your thumb, index finger, middle finger, and the outer half of your ring finger. This discomfort may occasionally radiate toward your elbow. Symptoms often manifest while you're trying to fall asleep or upon waking with numb hands, but they can evolve into a persistent source of irritation.

Activities that involve gripping, such as reading a newspaper, driving, or painting, are likely to exacerbate your symptoms. Initially, you might find some relief by "shaking your hands out." You may also occasionally experience sensations of tightness or swelling in your hands. In more severe cases, weakness in the hands can occur.

Options For Dealing With CTS

Compression of the median nerve within the carpal tunnel often coincides with additional compression occurring at a second or third site. This phenomenon is referred to by researchers as "double crush syndrome." Common areas that can be affected alongside carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) include the spine or the muscles in your neck, shoulder, and forearm.

To enhance your recovery, it’s important to steer clear of activities that involve repetitive wrist flexion, such as push-ups. Additionally, gripping the handlebars of your bicycle can exacerbate your condition. Our office may recommend a special splint designed to maintain your wrist in a neutral or slightly extended position, which may alleviate symptoms during the night in some cases. If carpal tunnel syndrome is left unaddressed, it can result in permanent nerve damage. The American Academy of Neurology advises pursuing conservative treatments, like those offered in our office, prior to considering surgical options.