What Causes Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?

Symptoms of CTS usually start gradually and get progressively severe over time

. One or both hands may be affected and women are about three times more likely than men to develop this disorder. As overuse predisposes one to developing the condition, it is the dominant hand which is more at risk of developing CTS. The onset is gradual, often beginning as a tender lump felt under the skin of the palm. Over time, the lump disappears, and a tough band of tissue develops, causing the fingers to curl up towards the palm. The ring and little fingers tend to be most commonly affected. As the contractures increase, use of the affected hand may be significantly impaired.

Hydrocortisone and lignocaine (H&L) injections are frequently given to treat trigger fingers, however, they tend not to be very useful if the trigger finger has been present for a long time, or when it is associated with other medical conditions, such as diabetes. H&L injections should also not be given more than 3 times a year, as too frequent repeated injections in the same area, would increase the risk of tendon rupture. The dominant hand is usually affected first and produces the most severe pain. Persons with diabetes or other metabolic disorders that directly affect the body's nerves and make them more susceptible to compression are also at high risk. In this cyber era, many keyboard workers are likely candidates for this disease.

It is not uncommon for such a break or chip to be ignored, particularly by budget-conscious sufferers who prefer not to rush to the doctor every time they have an ache or a pain. However, ignoring such a condition can produce the swelling that brings on Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. Repeated motions performed in the course of a normal day can result in quite a few other repetitive motion disorders such as tendonitis and bursitis, which are mistaken for Carpal Tunnel (CTS). Some people mistake writer's cramp - in which they experience aches, pressure in the fingers, loss of fine motor skill coordination and other pain or discomfort in wrist or forearm - for Carpal Tunnel (CTS).

On the other hand, physicians who are wary of dealing with a litigious patient who is eager for an excuse to file a new malpractice suit are prone to treat that person by-the-book with no deviations from recognized procedures. No doctor in his or her right mind will experiment with yoga, for example, or herbs with such a patient. The Wrist Tendons tend to get injured when athletes and body builders go about their exercise routine using wrong techniques. For example, a body builder may lift weights the wrong way or without properly warming up his/her body and wrists. This places the tendons under immense strain and is likely to cause injury.

The sufferer has the sensation of pins and needles in the ring and little fingers, often in the early morning. As the problem worsens, it may develop into a burning pain in the hand and wrist, followed by numbness in the affected fingers.

by: JackieSmith

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