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Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is one of the better-known conditions of the peripheral nervous system. Awareness of this issue began to increase in the latter half of the 20th century, as typing, gaming, and the use of cell phones and other digital devices became more and more common, both in the office and in everyday life. The repetitive motions and positionings of operating a phone, computer, etc., combined with the increasingly widespread use of these modern tools, are widely thought to be the main culprits in the rise of CTS in recent decades. These, however, are far from the only potential causes of carpal tunnel syndrome, and researchers are still learning what does and doesn’t cause this condition.
Carpal tunnel is progressive, meaning it gets worse with time. Therefore, it’s crucial to seek diagnosis and treatment for it as soon as possible. A type of repetitive strain (or repetitive stress) injury that causes numbness, tingling, and/or pain in the hand and arm, CTS is caused by the prolonged compression of a major nerve in the hand called the median nerve. This nerve feeds into the wrist, and pressure on it can be extremely problematic. While carpal tunnel surgery can address this condition, we can often address it through nonsurgical means.
If the devices you use in your job or everyday life involve any type of repetitive use of the wrist, arm, or hand that puts pressure on the median nerve, it may lead to carpal tunnel syndrome. These devices may be digital, such as a phone, computer, or gaming controller, or analog, like a screwdriver, sewing needle, or other tool. The pressure of repetitive use can cause swelling, which can in turn put pressure on the median nerve. But it isn’t just behavior that can cause CTS. Hormonal changes caused by pregnancy may trigger similar types of swelling. Genetic factors may also cause the pathway through which the median nerve runs to develop incorrectly, making the path for this crucial nerve narrower than it should be. Furthermore, health conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, and imbalances of the thyroid gland can also potentially lead to CTS.
Because carpal tunnel syndrome is frequently caused by repetitive movement or positioning, the first course of treatment is usually to completely stop, drastically curtail, or sufficiently alter the causal behavior. If we suspect that typing on your phone or any other device is the main cause of your CTS, for instance, we might initially prescribe some exercises, stretches, and most importantly, altered positioning to target the issue. Often, we’ll use a brace to keep the wrist in a neutral position while the patient performs what we determine to be the causal activity. Other nonsurgical treatments may include corticosteroids and physical therapy.
The symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome usually start out minor and get worse over time. This applies to the intensity, duration, and persistence of the symptoms, which may include:
As with most conditions we treat, we explore any nonsurgical treatment avenues before performing carpal tunnel surgery. There are several effective nonsurgical interventions for CTS, but when those fail to address the issue, surgery may be the only way to keep the condition from worsening. If you’re experiencing any of the symptoms we’ve discussed here, think you may have any other health issue we can help with, or would like a second opinion on an initial brain, spine, or nerve-related diagnosis, please contact Georgia Brain & Spine at 1 (800) GO-SPINE to schedule a consultation today. Be sure to follow us on Facebook and Twitter for the latest updates, and come back to the website soon for a new blog.