What is carpal tunnel syndrome, what are the symptoms and causes of hand cramps and how is it treated?
The condition affects women more than men and it is more common in middle-aged and elderly people
CARPAL tunnel syndrome is a condition which affects the hands and fingers.
There are several options for treatment but it can occasionally resolve itself.
What is carpal tunnel syndrome?
Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) stems from pressure on the median nerve in your wrist.
This then causes numbness, tingling and sometimes pain in the hands and fingers.
CTS affects women more than men but people of any age can develop it, although it is more common in middle-aged and elderly people.
What are the symptoms and causes of hand cramps?
The NHS outlines the symptoms as;
- An ache or pain in your fingers, hand or arm
- Numb hands
- Tingling or pins and needles
- A weak thumb or difficulty gripping
These symptoms – which also include pain - can come and go, and are usually worse at night.
People with CTS usually report symptoms being more pronounced in the thumb, index and middle finger, although the whole hand can be affected.
An ache can sometimes extend up the arm and into the shoulder.
Sometimes pregnancy can lead to the onset of CTS, and often the symptoms will clear up by themselves in a few months.
CTS can be brought on by a repetitive movement or action, which could be caused by work, depending on what you do for a living.
Movements such as playing an instrument, using vibrating tools, or repeating a motion which causes you to bend your wrist or grip your hand can all cause CTS.
And while you may not notice symptoms during the day, simple activities such as writing, typing, housework or DIY can all bring on CTS.
Activities which require delicate movements, such as buttons, may become tricky and you could find yourself dropping objects if your hand becomes weak.
Other lifestyle factors which can make someone more at risk of developing CTS are:
- If you’re overweight
- Are pregnant
- Do work or hobbies that mean you repeatedly bend your wrist or grip hard, such as using vibrating tools
- Have another illness, such as arthritis or diabetes
- Have a parent, brother or sister with CTS
- Have previously injured your wrist
How is it treated?
There are a few options for treatment, some of which are surgical and some of which aren’t.
Wearing a wrist splint can help keep your wrist straight and help relieve pressure on the nerve.
The NHS says you’ll need to wear it for at least four weeks before you see any improvement.
These are available at most pharmacies, and can be worn in your sleep to minimise disruption to your daily life.
Alternative therapies such as yoga can help ease symptoms, and painkillers can assist with the pain but neither tackles the root causes of CTS.
The NHS recommends seeing your GP if your symptoms are getting worse, or aren’t improving after trying out home remedies.
Steroid injections into the carpal tunnel are also an option, and while effective the benefits can wear off after a few weeks or months.
Surgery is a long-term option for CTS which your GP may suggest if all other options don’t alleviate symptoms.
Usually successful, CTS surgery involves making a small cut in the hand – which has been numbed – to reduce the pressure on the nerve.
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It’s a fairly straightforward procedure which takes around 20 minutes, and patients usually go home the same day.
It often takes a month for improvements and a full recovery to be made.
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