CARPAL TUNNEL SYNDROME – What Is It and How to Treat It?
WHAT IS THE CARPAL TUNNEL?
The carpal tunnel is located in the lower part of the wrist, and through it passes a nerve that extends into the first three fingers of the hand. When this nerve is compressed, symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome appear. It is a sensory-motor nerve that carries information from most of the fingers to the brain, and also moves the muscles of the hand and fingers, including the thumb. Pressure on it can be caused by several processes that lead to thickening of the tendons, swelling in the carpal tunnel area or its narrowing.
SYMPTOMS OF CARPAL TUNNEL SYNDROME
The symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome usually depend on the duration and intensity of the pressure on the nerve, and they develop slowly.
Numbness in the fingers, which later includes pain, a burning and stinging sensation, cramps and stiffness of the joint at night.
Patients sometimes complain of swelling in the fingers and hand, even though there is no actual swelling. The hand becomes less mobile, and the patient notices that they cannot grip small objects firmly and securely or carry out other kinds of tasks.
Muscle atrophy, especially in the thumb, as well as loss of sensation. Patients may lose the ability to sense heat and cold.
DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT
The basis of non-surgical treatment is physical therapy. It includes:
- Manual therapy
- Shockwave therapy
- TECAR therapy and/or SIS (Super Inductive System) therapy
- Electrotherapy, therapeutic ultrasound and laser
- Kinesiotherapy