Carpal Tunnel
News

Sponsors

History

Membership

Schedule

Photo Albums

Medical Info

Tutorials

Message Board

Contact Info

External Links
What is Carpal Tunnel?
Carpal tunnel syndrome is pain, tingling, and other problems in your hand because of pressure on the median nerve in your wrist.

The median nerve and several tendons run from your forearm to your hand through a small space in your wrist called the carpal tunnel. The median nerve controls movement and feeling in your thumb and first three fingers (not your little finger).
Causes
Pressure on the median nerve causes carpal tunnel syndrome. This pressure can come from swelling or anything that makes the carpal tunnel smaller. Things that can lead to carpal tunnel syndrome include:
- Illnesses such as hypothyroidism, rheumatoid arthritis, and diabetes.
- Pregnancy.
- Obesity.
- Making the same hand movements over and over, especially if the wrist is bent. Computer work and gardening are examples of tasks that have repeated motions.
- Wrist injuries and bone spurs.
- Smoking, because it can reduce blood flow to the median nerve.
Symptoms
Carpal tunnel syndrome can cause tingling, numbness, weakness, or pain in the fingers or hand. Some people may have pain in their arm between their hand and their elbow.

Symptoms most often occur in the thumb, index finger, middle finger, and half of the ring finger. If you have problems with your other fingers but your little finger is fine, this may be a sign that you have carpal tunnel syndrome. A different nerve gives feeling to the little finger.

You may first notice symptoms at night. You may be able to get relief by shaking your hand, but try to refrain from this as it could worsen the situation or lead to other wrist problems.
Treatment
Mild symptoms usually can be treated with home care. The sooner you start treatment, the better your chances of stopping symptoms and preventing long-term damage to the nerve.

You can do a few things at home to help your hand and wrist feel better:

Stop activities that cause numbness and pain. Rest your wrist longer between activities.
Ice your wrist for 10 to 15 minutes 1 or 2 times an hour. Take nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to relieve pain and reduce swelling.
Wear a wrist splint at night to keep your wrist in a neutral position. This takes pressure off your median nerve. Your wrist is in a neutral position when it is straight or only slightly bent. Holding a glass of water is an example of your wrist in a neutral position.
Do exercises to keep your fingers and wrist from getting stiff. Stop if you have pain or numbness.
See your doctor if your symptoms do not get better after 1 to 2 weeks of home care, or if you have had bad symptoms from the start. You may need medicine for carpal tunnel syndrome or for a health problem that made you likely to get carpal tunnel syndrome.

Surgery is an option. But it's usually used only when symptoms are so bad that you can't work or do other things even after 3 to 12 months of other treatment.
Prevention
To keep carpal tunnel syndrome from coming back, take care of your basic health. Stay at a healthy weight. Don't smoke. Exercise to stay strong and flexible. If you have a long-term health problem, such as arthritis or diabetes, follow your doctor�s advice for keeping your condition under control.

You can also try to take good care of your wrists and hands:

Try to keep your wrist in a neutral position.
Use your whole hand-not just your fingers-to hold objects.
When you type, keep your wrists straight, with your hands a little higher than your wrists. Use a keyboard wrist support. Relax your shoulders when your arms are at your sides.
If you can, switch hands often when you repeat movements.
Hosted by www.Geocities.ws

1