Carpal tunnel syndrome

Carpal tunnel syndrome is a condition that often causes pain, pins and needles, numbness and weakness into the palm and fingers of the hand. The reason for these symptoms is due to compression of a nerve (the median nerve) as it passes through the wrist in a narrow channel formed between bone and soft tissue. This channel is known as the carpal tunnel. Compression of this nerve maybe due to inflammation as a result of a repetitive strain type injury, possible trauma and/or fracture.

The location of symptoms is important in diagnosing carpal tunnel syndrome. The median nerve supplies the palm of the hand as well as the thumb, 2nd, 3rd and one side of the 4th finger. People with a compression of this nerve usually feel the symptoms described above in these locations.

Most people in their lifetime have experienced pins and needles in their hands at some point, usually when sitting or leaning in an awkward position. This is quite common as we compress arteries and or nerve tissue throughout the body. Carpal tunnel syndrome however will produce higher intensities of pins and needles for longer periods of time as well as pain.

Treatment needs to focus on increasing the space for which the nerve can travel through, reducing inflammation, improving mobility and re-gaining movement patterns throughout the whole arm. Surgery can sometimes be required, but very often symptoms can completely resolved with the appropriate treatment strategy.

N.B. Carpal tunnel symptoms can be experienced without there being any compression on the nerve in the wrist. The median nerve actually travels in-between the vertebrae in the neck. If there is a problem in the neck, symptoms of carpal tunnel can be experienced. Likewise, any compression on the nerve as it passes from the neck to the wrist, can also create symptoms. Accurate diagnosis is needed to determine the best treatment plan.