Carpal Tunnel Syndrome(CTS)

What is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome(CTS)?

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) is a condition that causes pain, numbness, and tingling in the hand and arm. 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. In most patients, carpal tunnel syndrome gets worse over time, so early diagnosis and treatment are important. Early on, symptoms can often be relieved with simple measures like wearing a wrist splint or avoiding certain activities.

The anatomy of your wrist, health problems, and possibly repetitive hand motions can contribute to carpal tunnel syndrome. The carpal tunnel is a narrow passageway located on the palm side of your wrist. This tunnel protects a main nerve to your hand and the nine tendons that bend your fingers. Compression of the nerve produces the numbness, tingling, and, eventually, hand weakness that characterize carpal tunnel syndrome.

Common symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome include:

Numbness or tingling in your thumb, index, middle, and ring fingers that comes and goes.
Pain in your wrist, palm, or forearm.
More frequent burning, tingling, or itching numbness in the palm of your hand and fingers.
Weakness in the muscles of the hand.
Difficulty holding things.

Causes: Several factors can contribute to carpal tunnel syndrome, including:

Anatomy of your wrist.
Repetitive use of your hand.
Health conditions (such as rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, or thyroid gland imbalance).
Pregnancy.

Treatment: Treatment options for carpal tunnel syndrome can include:

Lifestyle changes and wrist splinting: Avoiding activities that worsen symptoms, applying cool packs to reduce occasional swelling, and wearing a wrist splint at night.
Medications: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can help relieve pain and reduce inflammation.
Physical therapy: Exercises and therapies like ultrasound, yoga, or wrist strengthening exercises can be beneficial.
Surgery: In severe cases, a surgery called carpal tunnel release might be recommended to ease the pressure on the median nerve.