Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Carpal tunnel syndrome is a condition that is often caused by repetitive motion of the wrist. This repetitive motion leads to swelling in an area called the Carpal Tunnel that irritates a nerve, which passes through that area in the hand. When the nerve becomes irritated, there can be numbness and tingling in the hand. The effects of this syndrome can keep a person from being able to do their job.
Carpal tunnel syndrome is caused by activities that induce repetitive motion of the wrist. One of the most common causes is typing on a keyboard with the hand in a bad position. Other causes include: sewing, driving, assembly line work, painting, writing, using tools that vibrate, and playing some instruments.
Carpus is a word that is originated from the Greek word karpos, which means the wrist. The transverse carpal ligament is a band of fiber, which supports the wrist joint, encases the wrist and holds it together. Between this ligament and the carpal bone of the wrist are several items. First, are the tendons from the flexor muscles in the forearm, which allow movement of the hand. These tendons run inside of the synovial sheaths, which are normally filled with fluid, which keeps the tendons sliding smoothly. Finally is the median nerve. The narrow area that these tissues pass thru is called the carpal tunnel. The median nerve passes through the carpal tunnel to get feelings in the thumb, the index, and middle fingers of the hand. Any condition that creates swelling or even an alteration of the position of the tissues within the carpal tunnel may squeeze and irritate the median nerve. Annoyance of this nerve brings pain as well as numbness in the thumb, index, and part of the middle fingers. The median nerve controls motor and sensory functions for the arm, hand, and the fingers.