ABOUT MAGNETIC HEMATITE
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Is a condition that causes pain and numbness in the fingers, particularly in the thumb, index, middle and ring fingers. Loss of sensation in the fingers and weakness in the hands can also occur.
The carpal tunnel is a narrow, rigid passageway of ligament and bones at the base of the hand that houses the median nerve and tendons. Sometimes, thickening from irritated tendons or other swelling narrows the tunnel and causes the median nerve to be compressed. The median nerve becomes compressed as it passes through the carpal tunnel, narrow passage way of bones and ligaments on the underside of the wrist. The result may be pain, weakness, or numbness in the hand and wrist, radiating up the arm.
Although painful sensations may indicate other conditions, carpal tunnel syndrome is the most common and widely known of the entrapment neuropathies in which the body's peripheral nerves are compressed or traumatized.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Symptoms
Symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome usually start gradually, with frequent burning, tingling, or itching numbness in the palm of the hand and the fingers, especially the thumb and the index and middle fingers. Some carpal tunnel sufferers say their fingers feel useless and swollen, even though little or no swelling is apparent. Usually caused by repetitive finger and hand use, (especially with improper positioning.)
The symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome often first appear in one or both hands during the night, since many people sleep with flexed wrists. You can wear braces at night to teach yourself not to flex your wrists. A person with carpal tunnel syndrome may wake up feeling the need to "shake out" the hand or wrist.
As symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome worsen, people might feel tingling during the day. Decreased grip strength When Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Symptoms Worsen may make it difficult to, grip or hold objects.
In chronic and/or untreated cases of carpal tunnel syndrome, the muscles at the base of the thumb may waste away. Some people are unable to tell between hot and cold by touch. This also makes it difficult to get things done.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Causes
Carpal tunnel syndrome is often the result of a combination of factors that increase pressure on the median nerve and tendons in the carpal tunnel, rather than a problem with the nerve itself.
Most likely the disorder is due to a congenital predisposition - the carpal tunnel is simply smaller in some people than in others.
Other Contributing Factors
Other contributing factors include,
· trauma or injury to the wrist that cause swelling, such as sprain or fracture
· overactivity of the pituitary gland
· hypothyroidism
· rheumatoidarthritis
· mechanical problems in the wrist joint
· work stress
· repeated use of vibrating hand tools
· fluid retention during pregnancy or menopause
· the development of a cyst or tumor in the canal
In some cases no cause of carpal tunnel syndrome can be identified.
Repetitive Movements
There is little clinical data to prove whether repetitive and forceful movements of the hand and wrist during work or leisure activities can cause carpal tunnel syndrome. Repeated motions performed in the course of normal work or other daily activities can result in repetitive motion disorders such as:
Writer's cramp, a condition in which a lack of fine motor skill coordination and ache and pressure in the fingers, wrist, or forearm is brought on by repetitive activity, is not a symptom of carpal tunnel syndrome.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Risk
Women are three times more likely than men to develop carpal tunnel syndrome, perhaps because the carpal tunnel itself may be smaller in women than in men.
· The dominant hand is usually affected first and produces the most severe pain.
· Carpal tunnel syndrome usually occurs only in adults.
Persons with diabetes or other metabolic disorders that directly affect the body's nerves and make them more susceptible to compression are also at high risk.
Job Risk
The risk of developing carpal tunnel syndrome is not confined to people in a single industry or job, but is especially common in those performing assembly line work such as:
· manufacturing
· sewing
· finishing
· cleaning
· meat, poultry, or fish packing
In fact, carpal tunnel syndrome is three times more common among assemblers than among data-entry personnel. A study by the Mayo Clinic found heavy computer use (up to 7 hours a day) did not increase a person's risk of developing carpal tunnel syndrome.
Other Facts
It is estimated that three of every 10,000 workers loses time from work because of carpal tunnel syndrome. Half of these workers missed more than 10 days of work. The average lifetime cost of carpal tunnel syndrome, including medical bills and lost time from work, is estimated to be more than $30,000 for each injured worker.
Diagnosis of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Early diagnosis and treatment are important to avoid permanent damage to the median nerve.
Examination
Physical examination of the hands, arms, shoulders, and neck can help determine if the patient's complaints are related to daily activities or to an underlying disorder, and can rule out other painful conditions that mimic carpal tunnel syndrome. The wrist is examined for:
· tenderness
· swelling
· warmth
· discoloration
Each finger should be tested for sensation, and the muscles at the base of the hand should be examined for strength and signs of atrophy. Routine laboratory tests and X-rays can reveal:
· diabetes
· arthritis
· fractures
The presence of carpal tunnel syndrome is suggested if one or more symptoms, such as tingling or increasing numbness, is felt in the fingers within 1 minute. Doctors may also ask patients to try to make a movement that brings on symptoms.
Tests
Often it's necessary to confirm the diagnosis by use of electro diagnostic tests. In a nerve conduction study, electrodes are placed on the hand and wrist. Small electric shocks are applied and the speed with which nerves transmit impulses is measured. In electromyography, a fine needle is inserted into a muscle; electrical activity viewed on a screen can determine the severity of damage to the median nerve. Ultrasound imaging can show impaired movement of the median nerve. Magnetic resonance imaging can show the anatomy of the wrist but to date has not been especially useful in diagnosing carpal tunnel syndrome.
Initial Treatment
Initial treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome generally involves resting the affected hand and wrist for at least 2 weeks, avoiding activities that may worsen symptoms, and immobilizing the wrist in a splint to avoid further damage from twisting or bending. If there is inflammation, applying cool packs can help reduce swelling.
· Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: Prevention Vs Surgery
Alternative Therapies
Acupressure and chiropractic care have benefited some patients but effectiveness remains unproved. An exception is yoga, which has been shown to reduce pain and improve grip strength. In some cases, various medications can ease the pain and swelling associated with carpal tunnel syndrome. Symptoms that have been present for a short time or have been caused by strenuous activity may be eased by non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as:
· aspirin
· ibuprofen
Diuretics Oral diuretics ("water pills") can also decrease swelling.
Corticosteroids
Corticosteroids such as prednisone, injected directly into the wrist or taken by mouth, can relieve pressure on the median nerve and provide immediate, temporary relief to persons with mild or intermittent symptoms. (Caution: persons with diabetes and those predisposed to diabetes should note that prolonged use of corticosteroids can make it difficult to regulate insulin levels, they should not be taken without a doctor's prescription.)
Vitamin B6
Additionally, some studies show that vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) supplements may ease carpal tunnel syndrome. Studies show that people with low vitamin B6 levels tend to have carpal tunnel.
Foods sources of B6. sweet potatoes, avocados, brown rice, sunflower seeds, chick peas, salmon, pork, chicken, turkey potatoes, bok choy, barely bananas, and mangos.
Exercise
Stretching and strengthening exercises can be helpful in people whose symptoms have abated. These exercises may be supervised by a physical therapist, who is trained to use exercises to treat physical impairments, or an occupational therapist, who is trained in evaluating people with physical impairments and helping them build skills to improve their health and well-being.
Stretching is good for the body. Be sure to take breaks from the activity that agitates the carpal tunnel every half hour. It only takes a couple of minutes.
Carpal Tunnel Release
Carpal tunnel release is a common surgical procedure. Generally recommended if symptoms last for 6 months, surgery involves severing the band of tissue around the wrist to reduce pressure on the median nerve. Surgery is done under local anesthesia and does not require an overnight hospital stay. Many patients require surgery on both hands.
Open Release
Open release surgery, the traditional carpal tunnel correction surgery, involves making an incision up to 2 inches in the wrist and then cutting the carpal ligament to enlarge the carpal tunnel. The surgery is generally done outpatient under local anesthesia.
Endoscopic Surgery
Endoscopic surgery may allow faster functional recovery and less post-op discomfort than traditional open release surgery. A surgeon makes two incisions in the wrist and palm, inserts a camera attached to a tube, observes the tissue on a screen, and cuts the carpal ligament. This two-portal Endoscopic surgery, generally performed under local anesthesia, is effective and minimizes scarring and scar tenderness. One-portal Endoscopic surgery is also available.
Recovery
Although symptoms may be relieved immediately after surgery, full recovery can take months. Some patients may have:
· infection
· nerve damage
· stiffness / pain at the scar
Sometimes the wrist loses strength because the carpal ligament is cut. Patients should undergo physical therapy to restore wrist strength. Some may need to adjust duties or change jobs after recovery.
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Can the Syndrome Be Prevented? On-The-Job
At the workplace, workers can:
· do on-the-job conditioning
· perform stretching exercises
· take frequent rest breaks
· wear splints to keep wrists straight
· use correct posture and wrist position
Wearing fingerless gloves can help keep hands warm and flexible. Workstations, tools and tool handles, and tasks can be redesigned to enable the worker's wrist to maintain a natural position during work. Jobs can be rotated among workers.
Employers can develop programs in ergonomics, the process of adapting workplace conditions and job demands to the capabilities of workers. However, research has not conclusively shown that these workplace changes prevent the occurrence of carpal tunnel syndrome.
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Marketing Director
Pecos Enterprises
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Santa Fe, New Mexico 88505
