Preventing And Managing Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Posted on Aug 5, 2020 in Senior Health

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Carpal tunnel syndrome or CTS is described as the most common entrapment neuropathy (nerve damage), and it’s a diverse and complex condition.

 

CTS is characterized by the compression of the median nerves during passage through the protective carpal tunnel. The median nerve is one of the main nerves of the hand. It’s located at the front of the forearm and goes down to the middle of the palm.

 

This compression causes the tendons and ligaments to become inflamed. When this happens, you’ll feel pain and a sharp tingling sensation along your hand and wrist bones. In extreme cases, numbness and weakness also occur.

 

Causes

There is no known cause of carpal tunnel syndrome. That said, CTS is often associated with excessive, repetitive hand motions like prolonged typing or extreme hand flexing.

 

Such movements aggravate the wrist tendons and exert pressure on the median nerve. Sleeping with your hand under the head can also contribute to this.

 

Athletes frequently suffer from carpal tunnel syndrome. It’s especially prevalent in tennis players and badminton players. Any sport calling for frequent ball throwing puts you at heightened risk of developing CTS.

 

Jobs like handling power tools can also trigger CTS. It’s important to note that people who smoke and drink, have renal disease, or hypertension are at increased risk. Obesity can lead to carpal tunnel syndrome, too.

 

Age is also a risk factor. Older adults tend to develop osteoarthritis which often affects the joints of the hands. CTS seems to manifest in the elderly with more severe symptoms.

 

Beyond this, people born with a small carpal tunnel are highly likely to get this condition.

 

Carpal tunnel syndrome is more prevalent in women. Women are 3 times more likely to suffer than men.

 

CTS reportedly affects about 1 to 5% of people worldwide.

 

Symptoms

The primary symptom of CTS is paresthesia. This is characterized by the following.

 

•       Aching or burning pain at the wrist or forearm
•       Difficulty holding things, turning a doorknob or steering wheel
•       Hot or cold skin
•       Itching or prickling feeling
•       Numbness of the affected area
•       “Pins and needles” or tingling sensation

 

At times, older patients with other health conditions also complain of the following symptoms:

 

•       Complete loss of muscle control
•       Hand weakness
•       Nocturnal exacerbation
•       Stiffness
•       Vague numbness

 

Diagnosis

Diagnosing CTS requires the following:

 

•       Symptoms evaluation
•       Hand examination
•       Electrodiagnostic tests
•       Ultrasound 

 

Doctors often find examining the symptoms alone inconclusive as these can present as similar to arthritis or other comorbidities.

 

Hand examination includes putting pressure on the median nerve to see where the symptoms are coming from.

 

Another approach is to bend your hand up and down to see if this triggers pain. However, these methods alone are not enough to conclusively diagnose carpal tunnel syndrome.

 

An electrodiagnostic test includes the following:

 

•       Electromyography
•       Nerve conduction study

 

Electromyography

This will record the electrical activity of your muscle tissues. Electrodes are attached to the skin (Surface EMG) or inserted into the muscles (Intramuscular EMG).

 

This method helps diagnose if you have a nerve or muscle disorder. It takes about 30 to 90 minutes to perform this test. It is generally safe and no special preparation is required prior to this procedure.

 

Nerve Conduction Study

Also known as a Nerve Conduction Velocity Test, this method is used to measure the speed of electrical impulses while it travels into your nerve. This can help determine the site and diagnose the extent and severity of the nerve damage.

 

This method utilizes two electrodes taped onto your skin. The first electrode works by stimulating your nerve with a very mild electrical impulse. The second electrode records the result.

 

Ultrasound

An ultrasound of the wrist and forearm is considered a direct and accurate form of diagnosing CTS. It can also readily rule out any other suspected nerve conditions through high resolution ultrasonography.

 

Affordable, painless, and less invasive than other tests, ensure your doctor administers an ultrasound if you suspect you have CTS.

 

Treatment

Management of carpal tunnel syndrome depends on the severity and duration of the symptoms. If you have it checked earlier, the prognosis is usually better.

 

Modes of Treatment

After diagnosing CTS, your doctor will recommend the following treatments:

 

•       Apply ice to the affected area with a massaging motion, or soak your wrist in an ice bath for 10 to 20 minutes every hour. Keep this up for three days, or until the swelling is gone
•       Place a splint on the wrist to keep it from moving while allowing the fingers to remain mobile. Splints can also be worn overnight to prevent the arm from bending. You can use a splint for a few weeks, but relief is only temporary at best
•       Some hand and wrist stretching exercises can be effective
•       You might be prescribed over-the-counter NSAIDs like aspirin, ibuprofen, or naproxen for pain and swelling. Vitamin B Complex is sometimes given
•       Corticosteroid injections in your wrist are possible for severe pain and swelling
•       If none of the above helps, minor surgery is usually advised. This involves cutting a ligament that may be pressing on your median nerve. Reports of seniors recovering well after CTS surgery are generally encouraging

 

Prevention

The phrase prevention is better than cure is certainly true with CTS.

 

Here are a few simple tips to help you stave off carpal tunnel syndrome whatever your age.

 

•       Avoid resting your wrist on any hard surfaces for long periods
•       Never work with your arms too far away from or to close to your body
•       Always switch hands when working to give them some rest
•       Do not bend, twist, or extend your hand for too long
•       Lose weight if you’re overweight or obese
•       Take frequent breaks if your work involves repetitive hand movements
•       When typing, level your chair to your forearm to avoid flexing your wrist
•       Check with a doctor at once if you suspect of having CTS

 

What To Do Next

As with all elements of your health as you age, seeing your doctor regularly can help minimize your chances of being adversely affected by carpal tunnel syndrome.

 

If you’re getting to the stage where you find it hard to make and keep appointments, have you considered an assisted living community? Get in touch with our team here at Landmark Senior Living. We’ll gladly schedule a virtual tour of the closest senior living community to you.