Carpal tunnel syndrome is one of the most common conditions affecting the wrist. It occurs when the median nerve is compressed within the carpal tunnel. This compression leads to numbness, tingling, and weakness in the wrist and hand.
In recent years, this syndrome has gained increased attention as it is often associated with occupations that involve repetitive wrist movements, such as prolonged use of a computer mouse or keyboard.
Causes
Any condition that reduces the size of the carpal tunnel or promotes tissue growth within it can lead to carpal tunnel syndrome.
- Repetitive and monotonous movements
- Diabetes
- Hormonal imbalances
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Hypothyroidism
Symptoms
Symptoms usually begin gradually and include:
- Numbness
- Pain in the first, second, and third fingers
- Tingling
- Muscle weakness
Treatment
Both conservative and surgical treatments are available.
Conservative Treatment
For mild cases, where symptoms have only recently appeared or are not persistent, conservative therapy can be effective. One conservative approach is fixation of the radiocarpal joint. To do this, the patient wears a resting orthosis (splint) at night and sometimes throughout the day, which keeps the wrist in a neutral position. The duration of wrist fixation should be no less than 4 weeks.
If no improvement is seen with conservative methods, surgical treatment for carpal tunnel syndrome is recommended.
Surgical Treatment
Open Surgery: An incision is made on the skin at the area of the transverse carpal ligament.
Recovery
Post-surgery, pain generally decreases, though some discomfort at the incision site may persist for several months. In such cases, the recovery period may be prolonged.
