Tunnel Syndrome

Carpal tunnel syndrome: causes, symptoms and treatment

Carpal tunnel syndrome is a disease that manifests itself as pain in the arms, especially in the right hand, caused by long, monotonous work. This syndrome has acquired the status of an occupational disease among computer workers, drivers and other professions associated with constant stress on the hands.

The cause of pain is a pinched nerve in the carpal tunnel. Pinching can be caused by swelling of the tendons that run close to the nerve, as well as swelling of the nerve itself. The cause of a pinched nerve is the constant load on the same muscles, which can be caused by a large number of monotonous movements (for example, when working with a mouse) or an uncomfortable position of the hands while working with the keyboard, in which the wrist is under constant tension.

Symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome may include persistent pain or discomfort in the arms and weakness and numbness of the arms, especially the palms. To diagnose carpal tunnel syndrome, you need to contact a neurologist who will examine the patient. An instrumental diagnostic method is electromyography, which can be used to determine the degree of damage to the muscles of the forearm.

Treatment for carpal tunnel syndrome depends on the extent of the nerve damage and may include medication or surgery. Drug treatment includes the injection of corticosteroids (prednisolone, dexamethasone) into the wrist area, the use of drugs that improve blood circulation (vasoactive) (trental, nicotinic acid), and anti-inflammatory drugs (ibuprofen). If there is no effect from drug therapy, indications for surgical treatment arise (open or endoscopic).

To prevent and treat carpal tunnel syndrome, you should make sure that the workplace is comfortable, interrupt work as often as possible and perform a small set of hand exercises. When working with a keyboard, the bend angle of the elbow should be straight (90 degrees), and when working with a mouse, the hand should be straight and lie on the table as far from the edge as possible. The chair or armchair should have armrests, and it is also desirable to have a special support for the wrist (a mouse pad, a specially shaped keyboard or a computer desk with special silicone pads, etc.).

To prevent carpal tunnel syndrome or reduce its symptoms, you need to stop frequently to exercise. Shaking your hands, clenching your fingers into fists (10 times), rotating your fists around its axis and pressing with one hand on the fingers of the other hand from the palm, as if turning the palm and wrist outward, will help improve blood circulation in the muscles, stretch them and knead other muscles of the hand .

Carpal tunnel syndrome is a serious disease that can lead to disruption of professional activities and deterioration in quality of life. However, by maintaining correct ergonomics and regularly performing hand exercises, you can prevent its occurrence or reduce its manifestations. If you have symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome, do not delay visiting your doctor - timely treatment will help avoid serious consequences.