Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is a painful condition that occurs when the median nerve in the wrist is compressed. The condition is also known as median nerve compression that occurs when the nerve swells or else tendons become inflated. It is considered as the most common and widely known and usually develop at the ages between 45 to 65, and prevalence increases with age. The condition can be in one or else in both wrists and is most common in women . the treatment of the condition is essential if left untreated can have a negative impact on a person’s quality of life. If not treated, the median nerve can severely damage and can develop permanent numbness in fingers too.
Symptoms of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
The primary symptom of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome appears at night or on waking up in the morning. Symptoms develop gradually over time as patients feel shaking hands while waking up, and this discomfort repeatedly occurs during the night. There are mainly three symptoms of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome:
- Tingling
- Pain
- Numbness
Any of the above symptoms can occur in thumb and two fingers next to the thumb along with half of the ring finger. The symptoms can also extend to the rest of the hand, along with the forearm. If the condition is not treated for a long time, these signs can progress and also persist during the daytime, and patients can lose grip strength. He/she can not do common activities like opening a bottle of soda, or typing on a keyboard and doing up buttons. In severe cases, patients cannot sense hot and cold with the thumb. If the patient use the affected hand much, then the symptoms can worsen, and worth it tingling, pain and numbness also worsen.
Treatment of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome treatment aims to relieve its symptoms and to slow the progression by reducing any pressure on the median nerve. However, people with mild symptoms can improve their condition without any treatment within a few months. But in severe Carpal Tunnel Syndrome cases, when the treatment has not been effective, and symptoms last for more than six months, then an orthopedic doctor can recommend surgery.
Causes of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
The median nerve in the human body is very sensitive to pressure, and many things can increase your risk or trigger the development of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. Some of the causes are listed below for you :
- Any type of arthritis in the wrist
- Any swelling in the wrist joint or tendons
- Hormonal changes especially during pregnancy which affect connective tissues
- In case if thyroid glands are not producing enough hormones, a condition also known as an underactive thyroid gland.
- Diabetes
- Genes
- A wrist fracture
- Obesity
- Pressure on the wrist due to work
- Usage of vibrating tools
Treatment of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome treatment depends on the severity of pain and symptoms. Many orthopedic treat the condition without surgery by recommending many non-surgical methods like :
- Avoiding the wrong positions of wrists
- Medications for pain and to reduce inflammation
- Treating underlying conditions like diabetes or arthritis
Surgery is done if the nerve is damaged severely. the surgical process involves cutting of the band of tissues in the wrist and to lessen the pressure on your nerves. There are many factors on which success rates of treatment depend, like duration of symptoms, diabetes level, and weakness, which is considered as the late sign.
List of best orthopedic hospitals in India
India has many best orthopedic hospitals to treat Carpal Tunnel Syndrome along with many other orthopedic disorders. Consult the best orthopedic on demand doctor as they will help you to find the best treatment of your condition. Below we have listed some of the best orthopedic hospitals in India to help you out:
- Indraprastha Apollo Hospital, New Delhi
- Medanta – The Medicity, Gurgaon
- Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital, Mumbai
- Apollo Hospitals, Greams Road, Chennai
- Sancheti Hospital, Pune
- Fortis Memorial Research Institute, Gurgaon
- BLK Super Speciality Hospital, New Delhi
- Sir HN Reliance Foundation Hospital, Mumbai
- Artemis Hospital, Gurgaon
- Sparsh Hospital, Bangalore
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome can be prevented by making may lifestyle changes and to check out your hand posture. There are many physical therapies recommended by orthopedics to treat the condition successfully.
