Carpal tunnel syndrome occurs when the median nerve that runs from the forearm into the palm of the hand will become squeezed at the wrist. The median nerve controls sensations to the palm side of the thumb and fingers as well as impulses to some small muscles in the hand that allow the fingers and thumb to move. The carpal tunnel is a narrow, rigid passageway of ligament and bones at the base of the hand. It houses the median nerve and tendons. It becomes thick from irritated tendons or other swelling narrows the tunnel and causes the median nerve to be compressed.(Brian) This can cause weakness, numbness, and pain in the hand and wrist, that moves up the arm.
Carpal tunnel syndrome is often caused by several things together that increase …show more content…
The dominant hand is usually affected first and produces the most severe pain. Someone with diabetes or other metabolic disorders that directly affect the body's nerves and make them more susceptible to compression are also at high risk. (Turrentine, 2000) Carpal tunnel syndrome usually occurs only in adults.
Symptoms usually start gradually, with ongong itching numbness, burning, and tingling in the palm of the hand and the fingers, especially the thumb and the index and middle fingers. Some carpal tunnel sufferers say their fingers feel useless and swollen, even though little or no edema is apparent. (Rayan, 1997) The symptoms often first appear in one or both hands during the night, since many people sleep with flexed wrists. A person with carpal tunnel syndrome may wake up feeling the need to "shake out" the hand or wrist. As symptoms worsen, people might feel tingling during the day. Decreased grip strength may make it difficult to form a fist, grasp small objects, or perform other manual tasks. In chronic cases the muscles at the base of the thumb may waste away. Some people are unable to tell between hot and cold by touch.(Turrentine,