Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Description

Carpal tunnel syndrome is a nerve disorder of the wrist that causes pain, hand weakness, and loss of feeling, often in the thumb and first three fingers. It involves compression, stretching, or irritation of the median nerve at the wrist joint and may greatly decrease athletic performance in sports that require strong hand or wrist action.

Common signs and symptoms

• Tingling, numbness, or burning pain in part of the hand or fingers that may awaken you at night

• Sharp pains that may shoot from the wrist up the arm or to the fingers, especially at night

• Morning stiffness or cramping of the hand

• Thumb weakness, frequent dropping of objects, and inability to make a fist

• Shiny, dry skin on the hand

• Reduced performance in any sport requiring a strong grip

Causes

Pressure on the median nerve at the wrist is caused by swollen, inflamed, or scarred tissue. The sources of pressure include:

• Inflammation of the tendon sheaths, often due to repetitive or forceful gripping or squeezing during sports, home activities, or work

• Scarring or shortening of the ligament that covers the median nerve

• Fracture, sprain, or dislocation of the forearm or wrist

• Prolonged wrist hyperextension (wrist bent backward) or hyperflexion (wrist bent downward)

Factors that increase risk

• Diabetes mellitus

• Hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid gland)

• Menopause or amenorrhea

• Raynaud disease

• Pregnancy

• Rheumatoid arthritis

• Gout

• Kidney disease

• Ganglion cyst

• Tasks that require repetitive hand or wrist action

• Repetitive jolting or shaking of the hands or wrist

• Prolonged forceful weight bearing on the hands

Preventive measures

• Wear a wrist brace that keeps your hand and wrist straight if your home activities, work, or sport involves repetitive grasping activities.

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