CARPAL TUNNEL SYNDROME

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is a condition that results when the median nerve is compressed as it passes through the carpal tunnel in the wrist. This compression results in pain, numbness, and tingling in the thumb, index, middle finger, and the adjacent half of the ring finger, since all of these receive sensory and motor function from the median nerve. The pain can potentially also extend up the arm. In addition, the affected person’s grip might be weakened, and their dexterity worsened.
The carpel tunnel space is defined by the carpal bones and the transverse carpal ligament. Apart from the median nerve, nine flexor tendons also run through the carpal tunnel, and these allow you to flex your fingers. Compression of the median nerve can occur either because the carpal tunnel decreases in size, or because its contents increase in size, for instance, through swelling.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome typically begins in adulthood, and one in 20 people in the US have it. Since women have smaller wrists and smaller carpal tunnels, they are more commonly affected. There is ongoing debate about whether carpal tunnel syndrome is caused by repetitive movements and vibrations. There are also conditions that are risk factors for the development of carpal tunnel syndrome. Rheumatoid arthritis is a risk factor since it causes inflammation of the flexor tendons. Pregnancy can cause water retention, and hence swelling in the wrist area. Injuries to the wrist can also cause swelling. You can also just be unlucky and be born with a smaller carpal tunnel.
Without treatment, up to a third of those who get carpal tunnel syndrome improve in about a year. For those who don’t improve, symptoms can gradually get worse over time. Long-term complications can include permanent nerve damage and the resulting sensations can be severe enough to wake you up at night. Another long-term complication is wasting of the muscles at the base of the thumb. Severe carpal tunnel can be treated surgically. During surgery, the transverse carpal ligament is cut, freeing the median nerve. This surgery is reserved for severe cases since it makes the carpal bones of the wrist less stable and weakens the hand muscles anchored there.

Видео CARPAL TUNNEL SYNDROME канала Neural Academy