Question

1. What is carpal tunnel syndrome?

2. Which are the risk factors of carpal tunnel syndrome?

3. Describe the symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome

4. What will happen if carpal tunnel syndrome is not treated?

5 . What is the treatment for Carpal tunnel syndrome?

Answer 1

1. Carpal tunnel syndrome:

Carpal tunnel syndrome is a common condition that cause numbness, pain and tingling in the hand and arm. It occurs when one of the major nerves to the hand, median nerve is compressed as it travels through the wrist.

2. Risk factors of carpal tunnel syndrome:

-having small carpal tunnel which may be hereditary.

-wrist trauma or injury

-being female: females have more risk of getting carpal tunnel syndrome, this may be because they have small carpal tunnel or it can be pregnancy induced.

-increasing age: usually seen between 40 and 70 years of age

-frequent exposure of hand to vibration or cold temperature.

-having certain conditions: like hypothyroidism rheumatoid arthritis ,diabetes.

-repetitive movement of hand or wrist.

3. Symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome:

-pain ,numbness and tingling on thumb and first three fingers of the hand.

-wrist pain at night that interferes sleep.

-weakness in the muscles of the hand

-hand clumsiness

-burning in your palm and thumb.

-shock like feelings that move into your fingers.

4. If carpal tunnel syndrome is not treated:

It is not fatal but still it can lead to complete ,irreversible median nerve damage along with consequent severe loss of functions of hand.

Without treatment the symptoms can get worsened, and later hand grip might get weaker and you might lose feeling in your fingers. Thus permanently you might lose ability to use the hand.

5. Treatment for carpal tunnel syndrome:

-take more frequent break to rest your hand.

-apply cold packs to reduce swelling

-non surgical therapy: wrist splint

-medications: corticosteroids and NSAIDs

-surgery: endoscopic surgery or open surgery.

-therapy: stretching exercise to improve flexibility and function.