The carpal tunnel may be naturally smaller in some people, or there may be anatomic differences that change the amount of space for the nerve - and these traits can run in families. Other risk factors for carpal tunnel syndrome include: Studies show that women and older people are more likely to develop the condition. Most cases of carpal tunnel syndrome are caused by a combination of factors. These tendons are called flexor tendons because they flex the fingers and thumb.
The nine tendons that bend the fingers and thumb also travel through the carpal tunnel with the nerve. The median nerve also controls the muscles around the base of the thumb. These nerves allow for feeling in the thumb, index finger, middle finger, and half of the ring finger (the thumb side). It separates into several smaller nerves along the way, particularly once it reaches the palm. The median nerve travels down the upper arm, across the elbow, and into the forearm, then passes through the carpal tunnel at the wrist on its way to the hand and fingers. It originates as a group of nerve roots in the neck these roots then come together to form a single nerve in the arm. The median nerve is one of the main nerves in the hand. Because these boundaries are very rigid, the carpal tunnel has little capacity to stretch or increase in size. The roof of the tunnel is a strong band of connective tissue called the transverse carpal ligament. Rosemont, IL, American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, 2009 7(5). Reproduced and adapted from Rodner C, Raissis A, Akelman E: Carpal tunnel syndrome. To prevent permanent damage, surgery to take pressure off the median nerve may be recommended for some patients. If pressure on the median nerve continues, however, it can lead to nerve damage and worsening symptoms. A steroid injection into the carpal tunnel.
Avoiding certain activities that aggravate your symptoms.For this reason, it is important to diagnose and treat carpal tunnel syndrome promptly.Įarly symptoms can often be relieved with simple measures like: If untreated for too long, it can lead to permanent dysfunction of the hand, including loss of sensation in the fingers and weakness. In most patients, carpal tunnel syndrome gets worse over time. The condition occurs when one of the major nerves to the hand - the median nerve - is squeezed or compressed as it travels through the wrist. Carpal tunnel syndrome is a common condition that causes numbness, tingling, and pain in the hand and forearm.
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