What is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?

The syndrome usually occurs in strains caused by excessive use of the hands and wrists. It is particularly common in adult women over the age of 40. The first symptoms are observed in the form of burning in the hands, weakness and numbness. The course of the syndrome may progress by being affected by environmental conditions, life factors, intense and heavy movements.

Carpal tunnel syndrome is a progressive disease that affects the fingers of one or both hands, especially the thumb, index and middle fingers. Median nerve distributes to the first three fingers through ''carpal tunnel'' located on the inner surface of the wrist. Carpal tunnel syndrome occurs in people as a result of this nerve being under pressure in the canal. Compression causes numbness and loss of strength in the fingers.

What Are the Symptoms of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?

Different complaints such as burning, numbness and pain. Pain can be seen in the first three fingers affected by the median nerve and sometimes in the half of the ring finger. Sometimes the complaints are not limited to this area only. It can spread to the forearm or the entire arm of the person.

• Pinching sensation in fingers
• Numbness and tingling in the palm
• Pain in wrist or hands
• Pain extending to the elbow
• In advanced cases, weakness under the thumb
• Inability to fully grasp objects
• Pain, burning, discomfort, swelling and numbness in the hands during sleep

How is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Diagnosed?

If the physician who examines the patient's complaints and physical examination suspects carpal tunnel syndrome, he or she can make a diagnosis by seeing the slowing of the conduction velocity in the nerve by requesting an EMG (electromyography) examination. It would be reasonable to have X-rays taken to rule out other possible possibilities.

How Is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Treated?

The treatment process for carpal tunnel syndrome should begin as early as possible after symptoms begin. Carpal tunnel syndrome treatment can be completed with non-surgical methods in case of early diagnosis.

In the first stages of the syndrome, various simple measures such as taking more frequent breaks to rest the hands, avoiding activities that make the symptoms worse, applying cold compresses to reduce swelling can eliminate the problem by itself.

Other treatment options that may be considered at a later stage include wrist splints, medications, and surgery. Carpal tunnel syndrome with only mild or moderate signs and symptoms lasting less than 10 months can be treated with a splint. It is effective in reducing the pressure on the nerve in the treatment of injection into the carpal tunnel (cortisone injection).

If the patient does not benefit from these treatments, surgical treatment can be planned. In surgical treatment, the ligaments that cause compression of the nerve are cut and the pressure on the nerve is prevented.

What Happens If Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Is Not Treated?

Carpal tunnel syndrome can lead to progression of muscle weakness over time due to not being diagnosed and treated on time. Nerve compression can cause muscle wasting. In such cases, patients may become too weak to carry items with their hands. Carpal tunnel syndrome in advanced stages can cause patients to be unable to hold their hands, not be able to drive, or even have difficulty eating.