Don’t Ignore Early Signs of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Do you sometimes experience tingling or numbness in your hands? Do you feel clumsy or weak when handling objects? Have you been dropping things more often than before?

These symptoms may indicate carpal tunnel syndrome, which ayou should discuss with your doctor. Additionally, there are simple steps you can take on your own to slow the progression of this condition. If you are already experiencing an advanced case, however, effective treatments are available.

“Many people first notice carpal tunnel syndrome symptoms, such as pain, numbness, or tingling at night,” says Natalia Fullerton, M.D., an orthopaedic surgeon at the University of Miami Health System. “They may wake up and shake their hands to relieve the symptoms temporarily.”

What causes carpal tunnel syndrome?

Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is caused by pressure on the median nerve, which runs from a point near the armpit, through the arm, and into the hand and wrist, affecting the thumb and the fingers: the index, middle, and ring fingers. The carpal tunnel is a narrow, rigid passageway made up of ligaments and bones located at the wrist where the nerve passes.

This condition is fairly common, affecting between 3% and 6% of adults.

According to Dr. Fullerton, various activities can increase pressure in the carpal tunnel. The syndrome is mainly linked to certain repetitive motions in household tasks and job functions, especially those requiring awkward wrist positions. Activities involving significant force or exposing the wrist to vibrations can also heighten the risk of developing carpal tunnel syndrome.

Your job may increase your risk of developing or worsening carpal tunnel syndrome in your hand and wrist.

High-risk jobs include the following: 

• Painters
• Gardeners
• Hairdressers
• Garment workers
• Butchers and other workers who process fish or meat
• Workers who handle machines that vibrate for hours
• Warehouse workers and others who lift and carry heavy objects

Although computer work and driving do not directly cause carpal tunnel syndrome, individuals who already have the condition may experience worsened symptoms after spending long hours at a computer or driving.

This issue often occurs alongside other conditions that cause swelling, such as pregnancy. The risk of developing carpal tunnel syndrome increases if you have certain health conditions, including diabetes, renal failure, hypothyroidism, and autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis. Additionally, genetics can play a role, as carpal tunnel syndrome tends to run in families.

Women experience the most significant risk of developing carpal tunnel syndrome.

“For women, the risk for carpal tunnel syndrome is three times greater than it is for men,” says Dr. Fullerton. “The exact reason is unknown.” It’s probably a combination of hormonal factors, the fact that women have smaller carpal tunnel sizes, and the highly repetitive nature of many tasks women typically do more of, such as housework, on top of their paid employment. 

“Pregnant women are especially prone to develop this condition because of their tendency to have increased swelling,” says Dr. Fullerton. Menopause also heightens your risk.

Practice proactive prevention.

Try these approaches:

• Practice good hand ergonomics by trying to minimize repetitive motions. Vary the way you use your hands and fingers. Try to do the offending task with the wrist in a more neutral position.
• Take frequent breaks from handwork and use the time to stretch your hands and fingers. 
• Be conscious of your hands’ positioning during sleep. “You don’t want to sleep with your wrist flexed,” says Dr. Fullerton. “Using braces to keep your wrists in a neutral, healthy position can really slow down the condition’s progression.”

Don’t wait to protect your hands and wrists.

“It’s so much easier to treat this condition when it’s caught early, and we can use conservative measures, such as splinting,” says Dr. Fullerton. 

Some patients benefit from occupational therapy, and many insurance plans cover it. 

Over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications can also help if your doctor gives the okay.

If carpal tunnel syndrome has advanced and such conservative measures prove inadequate, your doctor may recommend steroid injections. “The injection is only a temporary measure and is often used to ensure the diagnosis when there are other possible causes of numbness,” says Dr. Fullerton.  

The next step is surgery. “It’s a short, simple operation, done on an outpatient basis,” she says. You wear a bandage for a few days, and full recovery takes a few weeks.

If sensations in your hands and wrist tell you it’s time to act, do so. See your doctor when symptoms start, rather than waiting for them to intensify. Acting early may spare you the discomfort, expense, and hassle involved with more aggressive treatment later on.  

To learn more, read this Fact Sheet from the National Institutes of Health. 

Milly Dawson is a contributing writer for UMiami Health News.

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