What is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?
A carpal tunnel syndrome is the result of pressure on the median nerve (main nerve) in the tunnel-like region of the wrist right before the hand. Continued pressure on this median nerve causes the person to feel a tingling and numbing sensation that often develops into a painful condition of the hand.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Causes
The most common causes for carpal tunnel syndrome to develop have been found to be a combination of activity and health related factors that eventually put pressure on the median nerve of the wrist. Any activity or condition that reduces the space around the carpal tunnel results in an undue pressure to be caused to the median nerve.
These are the commonly seen causes of carpal tunnel syndrome:
- Medical conditions/disorders – Obesity, gout, rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, hypothyroidism and lupus contribute to the development of carpal tunnel in a person.
- Repetitive movements – Certain daily activities or occupations can cause tenosynovitis which results in the membranes surrounding the tendons in the wrist to swell.
- Fractures – Broken or dislocated wrist bones as well as new bone growths, or bone spurs, can decrease the size of the carpal tunnel and put pressure on the median nerve.
- Hand/arm vibration
- Prolonged wrist activity in abnormal positions
Symptoms of carpal tunnel Syndrome
Milder form of carpal tunnel syndrome usually affects the hand and forearm whereas more severe cases can affect even the shoulder region. The commonly seen symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome are:
- Numbness/pain in the hand, wrist or forearm while sleeping
- Irregular and erratic numbness and tingling sensation in the hand, wrist or forearm
- Numbness/pain that gets worse with using hand or wrist to perform normal activities. Especially when you grip an object or flex your wrist
- Occasional pain in the forearm
- Stiff fingers after waking from sleep
Diagnostic Tests to determine Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
The initial tests done by the doctor to determine carpal tunnel syndrome is usually a physical examination as well as perusing your medical history to look for risk factors that may have caused carpal tunnel syndrome. The doctor will suggest further tests to confirm the diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome, such as:
- Nerve tests – To check the response of the median and connected nerves
- X-ray test – This test helps in checking for injuries or arthritis and tumors that may be causing pain in the hand or wrist
- Ultrasound – This test helps in checking the size of the median nerve
- MRI – This test helps in determining any swelling of the median nerve as well as narrowing of the carpal tunnel
- Blood test – These can determine the presence of rheumatoid arthritis or thyroid problem
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Treatments
The treatment methods vary according to the extent of the damage to the median nerve.
These can be:
1. Splints
Wrist braces and splints are known to be helpful in healing the carpal tunnel syndrome in the early stages. These braces are mostly suggested to be worn at night before sleeping.
2. Corticosteroid injections
The use of corticosteroid injections is known to help relieve painful symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome with the combination of other non-surgical therapy methods.
3. Surgery
The surgical method for treating carpal tunnel syndrome involves the release of transverse carpal ligament and is also known as the ‘carpal tunnel release’ surgery. This is performed when the numbness and muscular weakness is constant and the non-surgical and other therapy methods have failed to relieve the problem.
4. Physiotherapy
There have been significant successful results by the use of physical therapy to relieve pressure on the median nerve through a session of physical therapy.
Why choose HealthYatra for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome treatment in India?
HealthYatra is a well known medical tourism firm that has gained a reputation for being one of the best and most efficient consultant firms for assisting foreign patients in getting treatment for carpal tunnel syndrome in India. The team of expert consultants is well-adept at managing the patient’s complete itinerary in the most organized and efficient manner with connection to the global-class hospitals and clinics in all major cities in India. The added bonus, of providing carpal tunnel syndrome surgery at the lowest cost in India, also makes HealthYatra
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