A Complete Guide to Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
If you’ve been struggling with pain, tingling and numbness throughout your wrist and hand, you may be experiencing carpal tunnel syndrome. While many cases can be treated at home, understanding the syndrome and your treatment options can help bring peace of mind and inform your decision on the best path forward.
Table of contents
What is carpal tunnel syndrome?
What causes carpal tunnel syndrome?
How is carpal tunnel diagnosed?
What is carpal tunnel syndrome?
Carpal tunnel syndrome occurs when pressure is placed on the median nerve in the wrist. It’s compressed as it passes through the carpal tunnel, a short tunnel that sits between the bones of the wrist and a tight fibrous band called the transverse carpal ligament. The tunnel contains tendons that bend the fingers and thumb. Carpal tunnel syndrome causes swelling and narrowing of this tunnel, which compresses the nerve, leading to tingling, numbness and pain in the hand and fingers.
What causes carpal tunnel syndrome?
It’s difficult to pinpoint a single cause of carpal tunnel syndrome, and several factors usually cause it.
- Repetitive hand and wrist movements from work or hobbies can contribute to the development of carpal tunnel syndrome. Anything that involves a lot of gripping and bending can especially irritate the wrists. Those working on computers are also at a higher risk.
- Wrist injuries like fractures, sprains, or dislocations can alter the anatomy of the carpal tunnel and increase pressure on the median nerve.
- Individuals with pre-existing conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, or thyroid issues, which cause inflammation, can make the median nerve more prone to compression.
- Carpal tunnel syndrome is more common in older people, and women are more likely to develop it than men.
Carpal tunnel syndrome in pregnancy
Carpal tunnel syndrome is very common in pregnant individuals, especially in the second and third trimesters. Hormonal changes and fluid retention causes swelling in the carpal tunnel, compressing the median nerve and causing pain, numbness and tingling.
Many people find that once they have delivered their baby, the carpal tunnel symptoms begin to subside as hormones return to normal.
Carpal tunnel symptoms
The symptoms of carpal tunnel vary, but usually include:
- Pain and aching in the fingers, hand or arm.
- Numbness, tingling or burning in the thumb, index, middle or ring fingers.
- Weakness in the thumb or difficulty gripping.
- Pain in the hand that may travel up the forearm to the shoulder.
- Pain when trying to grip or bend the wrists for extended periods.
Carpal tunnel symptoms often start slowly and come and go at first. They tend to be worse at night and can disturb sleep.
What are the stages of carpal tunnel syndrome?
Symptoms tend to worsen over time and progress through three stages:
Mild: Pain, pins and needles and tingling. The symptoms are intermittent and tend to subside in between episodes, though they worsen at night.
Moderate: Symptoms are more persistent, affecting day-to-day activities, and periods of relief are shorter. Certain activities or positions may exacerbate or trigger the symptoms.
Severe: Symptoms are present almost all the time, including pain, tingling, and numbness. The hand starts to feel weak and clumsy, and you might struggle to grip things. Further progression can include muscle waste around the base of the thumb.
How is carpal tunnel diagnosed?
If you suspect you have carpal tunnel syndrome, and your symptoms aren’t subsiding with at-home treatments, your GP can provide you with a diagnosis and treatment plan.
A GP can usually diagnose you by asking about your symptoms and examining your hand. They might also ask about your medical history and whether there is a history of the condition in your family.
If there’s any doubt, they might carry out a nerve conduction test, where electrodes are placed on the skin and a mild current is applied to stimulate the nerve. A slower nerve conduction speed would suggest a diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome.
Carpal tunnel treatment
Treatment for carpal tunnel depends on the stage of the condition. You will typically begin with conservative options, such as exercises and lifestyle changes. For example, varying your daily activities to ensure you’re not doing too many repetitive motions like squeezing and gripping.
Simple stretches, such as wrist flexions and extensions, are often recommended, along with strengthening exercises that utilise resistance bands.
Wrist splint
A wrist splint is often recommended for nighttime wear. It helps keep the wrist straight and stops you from bending it while sleeping, which can squash the median nerve. It’s not advisable to wear the splint during the day; the idea is to provide relief overnight, allowing you to stay mobile during the daytime. You may only need to use the splint for a few weeks to settle your symptoms.
The Bauerfeind Manutrain helps stabilise the wrist and provide compression, helping to relieve pain. This support comes with an insertable stay, allowing you to adjust the level of stabilisation as needed. The Velcro strap also provides support and enhances compression.
The Bauerfeind Manuloc is excellent for carpal tunnel syndrome. It immobilises the wrist using three aluminium stays that hold the wrist in a functional position. This support can be fully opened with three large Velcro fastenings, making it easy to put on and take off with one hand. It’s also made with breathable materials for all-night comfort.
Corticosteroid injections
If over-the-counter options aren’t helping control your pain, you may be offered a corticosteroid injection into your carpal tunnel. These medicines help reduce pain and inflammation on a long-term basis, with some effects lasting for several weeks or months.
Carpal tunnel surgery
If nothing else is working and your carpal tunnel syndrome is getting worse, surgery may be recommended.
Carpal tunnel surgery is done under local anaesthesia. A small cut is made in the hand, and the carpal tunnel inside the wrist is cut so it no longer puts pressure on the nerve. It’s a brief operation, typically lasting no longer than 20 minutes, and you can return home the same day.
It normally takes around 4 weeks to get back to your usual activities after carpal tunnel surgery. Most people experience permanent relief from their symptoms following the surgery.
Find support for carpal tunnel syndrome at brace-yourself
At brace-yourself, we offer several wrist and hand splints that support carpal tunnel syndrome, providing relief from symptoms and aiding in your treatment journey.
Our customer service team is here to assist you with any questions related to our products. Please don’t hesitate to contact us if you have any questions.
Visit our Help & Advice Hub for more information on a huge range of common injuries and conditions, and how brace-yourself can help.
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