subject: Pc Users Beware - Carpal Tunnel Syndrome! [print this page] Pc Users Beware - Carpal Tunnel Syndrome!
Are you a computer gamer who plays 24/seven? A secretary who uses the computer 8 hours daily? Does one surf the net for long hours? Well, let me tell you about a health problem that's common among these types of people. The Carpal Tunnel Syndrome!
What is CTS or Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?
Carpal tunnel syndrome or CTS is an injury arising from impingement or compression of the median nerve among the carpal tunnel which results to numerous signs and symptoms.
What are the SxS of CTS?
Signs and symptoms that are common to carpal tunnel syndrome are the subsequent:
* Paresthesia - this is one among the foremost common symptoms gift in CTS. Paresthesia is defined as an abnormal sensation which is felt just like the palms are being pricked by pins and needles or the "pins and needles" sensation in layman's terminology.
* Numbness - This is typically felt in the most distal side or at the ideas of the palmar aspect of the fingers.
* Pain - pain are sometimes felt within the distal fingers however in severe cases, the pain might even be observed the forearm.
* Muscle weakness - muscle weakness affects the muscles with median nerve distribution just like the long flexors of the fingers ( flexor digitorum superficialis and profondus) and most of the thumb muscles.
- All of those symptoms are additional pronounced in the dark and upon waking up since most individuals tend to bend their wrist in their sleep. Bending of the wrist causes additional compression of the median nerve within the carpal tunnel. The distribution of those symptoms commonly affects the lateral aspect of the palmar aspect of the hand and conjointly includes the entire thumb, index and middle finger and also the lateral one-0.5 of the ring finger.
What causes Carpal tunnel syndrome?
Carpal tunnel syndrome is sometimes caused by compression within the hand because of trauma (example is Colle's fracture, lunate dislocation). This can conjointly be caused by inflammation of any of the nine tendons inside the carpal tunnel. Arthritis will additionally cause Carpal Tunnel syndrome. twenty percent of pregnant girls expertise this problem. Repetitive manual labor or activities that cause the heel of the palm in constant pressure can cause this drawback also. That is why this downside is common on typists, pc gamers and alternative pc related job.
How will we tend to prevent CTS?
Prevention is healthier than cure! If you're a gamer or a typist, a rest amount each two hours is needed. During this rest period, you'll be able to shake your hand and do some delicate stretching to enhance blood circulation within the hand.
How is CTS diagnosed?
Orthopedic doctors or physiatrists typically diagnose this problem. Specialized tests like the Phalen's take a look at are done throughout evaluation. During this take a look at, the doctor can raise you to bend each of your wrists downward with fingers pointing to the floor. You will then be asked to push your wrist along with the rear half of the hand up-to-date with each other. If the symptoms worsen after during this check, then you're positive for the take a look at which indicates that you'll be tormented by CTS.
Another diagnostic test is a take a look at called nerve conduction velocity check or electromyography. During this take a look at, the speed of conduction of the median nerve compared to the opposite nerves in the hand. In the presence of injury or impingement on the median nerve, the conduction velocity is slower compared to the opposite nerves of the hand.
How to treat CTS?
Medical management includes anti-inflammatory medication to reduce inflammation and local steroid injections to produce local relief.
Physical therapy and occupational therapy are also beneficial for this problem. Physical therapy usually manages the symptoms like pain, paresthesia, weakness, numbness through application of modalities like hot and cold packs, electrotherapeutic machines and exercises. Occupational therapy focuses on come to figure exercises and help with work house adaptation to prevent recurrence of the injury. This includes correct ergonomics, adaptive keyboard designs and others.
If the treatments above did not work or were not successful in relieving the symptoms, then the patient will undergo surgery. The surgical treatment is named Carpal Tunnel Release. In this surgery, the transverse carpal ligament that forms the roof of the carpal tunnel is divided into 2 to provide compression relief to the median nerve. Success rate for this type of surgery is very high and results in long run recovery of the patient.
