Causes

Reduce your risk.

Carpal tunnel syndrome is caused by a combination of factors that increase pressure on the median nerve. People who genetically have smaller carpal tunnels are more vulnerable to the condition. Three out of every four people who develop carpal tunnel syndrome are women, most likely due to the anatomy of having smaller carpal tunnels than men. The stature of the smaller carpal tunnel leaves very little room for irritated tendons to swell without putting stress on the median nerve, making the medial nerves in smaller tunnels more susceptible to experiencing pressure frequently and swiftly. Although carpal tunnel syndrome is more commonly considered a workplace injury, it can also happen to athletes. Kayal Orthopaedic Center’s experts in sports medicine will properly diagnose and treat carpal tunnel syndrome.
Other contributing factors include:● Trauma or injury to the wrist, such as a sprain or fracture● Overactive pituitary gland● Hypothyroidism● Rheumatoid arthritis● Mechanical problems in the wrist joint● Repetitive work-related wrist activity● Repeated use of vibrating hand tools● Fluid retention during pregnancy or menopause● Development of a cyst or tumor in the canal

Symptoms

Pinpoint your pain.

Carpal tunnel syndrome symptoms often begin gradually and typically stem from the thumb side of the hand. Initially, symptoms may be intermittent, but without intervention, they may become chronic. The two most common forms of arthritis—rheumatoid and osteoarthritis—raise your risk for carpal tunnel syndrome.
Common symptoms include:● Numbness, tingling, and pain in the hand, especially at night● An electric shock-like feeling mostly in the thumb, index, and long fingers● Strange sensations and pain traveling up the arm toward the shoulder● Delicate motions, such as buttoning a shirt, become increasingly difficult

Diagnosis

Get the answers you need.

In order to diagnose you properly, your doctor will consider your symptoms, examine your hand and wrist, and ask you to perform specific movements that reproduce the symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome. Your doctor may also require you to have X-rays, an MRI or a nerve conduction test to look closely at the nerve function in your hand.

Treatment

Life’s too short to put up with pain.

Without some form of treatment, carpal tunnel syndrome will progressively worsen. However, if diagnosed and treated early by our specialists, relief can be attained through the following non-surgical treatments. In cases where non-surgical treatments fail to resolve carpal tunnel syndrome, our physicians, who specialize in hand and wrist surgery, will use their knowledge and expertise to perform either open or endoscopic surgery. Open surgery is designed to increase the size of the carpal tunnel and decrease pressure on the nerve, while endoscopic surgery is performed through a small incision and aims to cut ligaments in order to alleviate the pressure that’s being put on the median nerve. The end result of these surgical options is parallel, but each condition has specific determinants that make it better suited for certain situations. Our physicians will thoroughly evaluate each carpal tunnel syndrome situation to decide which surgery option is best for each patient’s individualized condition.