Symptoms
‘Carpal’ or ‘carpus’ derives from a Greek origin, ‘karpos’. It means “wrist”. Like most other joints, the wrist is also surrounded by fibrous tissues which provides it necessary support. The narrow and tight space between the wrist bone and fibrous tissue is called the carpal tunnel. The median nerve, used for receiving sensation in the fingers and palm, comes through this carpal tunnel. Any irritation or pressure on this nerve may cause pain, numbness, weakness, and tingling in the hand and fingers and is known as “carpal tunnel syndrome”.
Irritation or pressure on the median nerves occur most often in people 30 to 60 years of age and is more common in women than men. It may appear to those involved in typing and vibrating tools jobs. It is also common in professional musicians.
Treatments
Medications for carpal tunnel syndrome includes use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, corticosteroid injection etc. which may relieve your pain. Surgery is also effective in some cases.
In most of the cases, carpal tunnel syndrome can be helped with appropriate physiotherapy. The therapist needs to assess the causes of the syndrome which may include repetitive activity, osteo or rheumatoid arthritis or pregnancy For carpal tunnel syndrome patients, immediate and appropriate treatment can be helpful for a speedy recovery.
Physiotherapy treatment can provide relief from pain and decrease the likelihood of future recurrence. Following therapies may be recommended.
- Connective and therapeutic tissue massage
- Electrotherapy (muscle stimulation, functional electrical stimulation, etc.)
- Splinting
- Functional activities (gripping, pinching, wrist strengthening exercise
- Progressive exercises to improve flexibility and strength
- Education of the patient
- Training and activity modification advice
- Technique correction
- Devising an appropriate return to activity plan.
To consult our experienced croydon physiotherapists please call us on the number at the top of the page
