Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Explained
Are you experiencing shooting pains and numbness in your fingers?
What IS Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?
A catch-all hot button phrase that has become the go-to diagnosis for general hand pain, but what is it really? And do you really have it?
First things first, let’s talk anatomy. The carpal tunnel is the name for the literal tunnel shaped structure in your wrist where nine tendons and the median nerve pass through to reach your hand. It’s a tight space and any changes in the structures (swelling, pressure, position) can limit the blood flow to your median nerve and cause the classic numbness and tingling in your fingers. Ouch!
Information provided is not a substitute for professional medical advice and should be used for educational purposes only.
The carpal bones form the tunnel shape and the white structure spanning the top of the tunnel is a ligament. The yellow shape represents the median nerve, and the structures marked muscle tendons are responsible for the movement of the fingers and thumb.
Varying anatomy from person to person and reason for onset of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) may affect when and how you experience symptoms, but here are a few classic signs to look for:
Numbness and/or tingling in your thumb, index, and middle finger. This is the sensation that the median nerve provides sensation for in the hand. If you are experiencing symptoms in your small finger, you may have a different issue.
Shooting pains that start at wrist and travel to your fingers. This is usually described as a sharp pain or an electrical, zapping pain.
Reports of dropping items or feeling clumsy. Compression at the carpal tunnel can result in loss of sensation and therefore fine motor tasks may feel more difficult to perform, such as buttoning shirt or picking up coins.
Hand pain and tingling at night that wakes you up, called nocturnal pain. Typically people describe voluntarily shaking their hand to “wake it up.”
If you are experiencing one or more of these symptoms, don’t panic! CTS has many treatment options that may help alleviate or even eliminate your symptoms. Don’t delay in seeking professional help, as early treatment can prevent permanent nerve damage and help restore your normal function.
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Photo Citation:
"OpenStax AnatPhys fig.8.9 - The Carpal Tunnel - English labels" by OpenStax, license: CC BY. Source: book 'Anatomy and Physiology', https://openstax.org/details/books/anatomy-and-physiology.
