Are You At Risk For Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?

If you are experiencing pain in your arms, based on individual risk factors, there may be an increased likelihood you are suffering from carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). According to a team of researchers, certain factors can play a role in your prevalence to developing this painful syndrome.
Between July 2007 and August 2008, a cross-sectional study was performed on 1000 patients who presented with arm pain. Two hundred fifty cases, comprised of 34 men and 216 women (18 to 69 years), were diagnosed with CTS based on electrodiagnostic criteria. An additional 750 cases (102 men and 648 women) that did not have CTS were also included in the study. The following factors were assessed: body mass index (BMI), wrist anterior-posterior/medial-lateral diameter ratio, occupation, history of steroid use, family history, diabetes mellitus, thyroid disease, congestive heart failure, history of wrist fracture, smoking, use of oral contraceptive pills, history of hysterectomy, and menopause.

The prevalence of CTS was 25% in the group studied. Mean BMI was higher in CTS patients in both genders and the wrist dimension ratio was also found to be higher in the CTS group. Steroid use was reported in 2% of the control group and in 8% of the CTS group. Diabetes mellitus was found in 4% of the control group and in 11.2% of the CTS group. Of the control group, 8.8% had reached menopause, as compared to 25.2% in the CTS group. The female to male ratio was 7 to 1.

“In this specific study group, diabetes, high BMI, wrist dimension ratio, hormonal changes associated with menopause, and steroid use were positively associated with CTS,” stated Dr. Seyed M. Rayegani. “Due to the high prevalence of carpal tunnel syndrome, especially in women, it is recommended that physicians refer patients with hand pain, numbness, and night awakening of hand numbness for evaluation by a trained electrodiagnostic physician.” Treatment of CTS is based on the stage of the disease. In mild and early stages conservative treatment using medication, a wrist splint, or job modification can improve symptoms. More advanced stages may need more aggressive treatments such as surgery.”

source

Ask Dr. Hibberd: Carpal Tunnel Exercises

Dr. Hibberd Responds:Carpal tunnel syndrome is caused by irritation of the median nerve where the nerve itself is "entrapped" within the carpal tunnel of our wrist. It is more common in middle aged women and more often affects the dominant hand.

The carpal tunnel is located on the flexor (palm) side of our wrist and contains the median nerve together with our flexor tendons. These tendons allow us to flex or make a fist. It is associated with wrist pain often worse with movement. It often presents with decreased hand sensation sometimes with associated thumb muscle weakness and atrophy (shrinkage of muscle bulk) if left untreated.

Recurrences are unpredictable, but tend to be associated with wrist or hand overuse, re-injury or trauma. Patients with diabetes, hypothyroidism, pregnancy, renal failure on dialysis, rheumatoid and other arthritis conditions affecting the wrist, amyloidosis, and those with previous wrist trauma have an increased frequency of carpal tunnel syndrome.

When present, these underlying conditions associated with carpal tunnel syndrome of course need to be addressed. Though vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) is often used as an adjunct to conservative treatment, its overuse (usually more than 500mg per day) has also been associated with the occurrence of carpal tunnel syndrome.

The most common preventable cause of recurrent carpal tunnel syndrome is hand and wrist overuse injury so often seen with computer keyboard use. Placing a wrist pad to lay your wrist on when typing seems to help minimize problems such as this. Other work related tasks involving repetitive flexion-extension of your wrist should be minimized.

Surgical management is used only for those who do not respond to conservative measures such as the cock-up nocturnal wrist splint that you were correctly advised to use. Anti-inflammatories (naproxen, ibuprofen, etc.) and local infiltration of the carpal tunnel with injectable steroid solution are also commonly used conservative treatments. Generally surgery is indicated only for those with progressive weakness and/or intractable pain.

source

My Home Remedies
The premiere site for exchanging home remedies with others around the world.

Carpal tunnel Wrist brace for the treatment and prevention of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) and tendonitis of the wrist

The Keeper. The Keeper and Alternative Personal Care Products

The Real Secret To Better Health
Digestive Enzymes

What Are The Carpal Tunnel Symptoms?

What are the Carpal Tunnel Symptoms

Carpal tunnel symptoms typically starts gradually with a vague aching in your wrist that can extend to your hand or forearm. Other common carpal tunnel syndrome symptoms include:

• Tingling or numbness in your fingers or hand, especially your thumb, index, middle or ring fingers, but not your little finger. This sensation often occurs while driving a vehicle or holding a phone or a newspaper or upon awakening. Many people "shake out" their hands to relieve their Carpal tunnel symptoms.
• Pain radiating or extending from your wrist up your arm to your shoulder or down into your palm or fingers, especially after forceful or repetitive use. This usually occurs on palm side of your forearm.
• A sense of weakness in your hands and a tendency to drop objects.
• A constant loss of feeling in some fingers. This can occur if the condition is advanced.

Want to learn more about Carpal tunnel symptoms?