What is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?

The carpal tunnel is small tunnel in your wrist. The floor of the tunnel is made up of the "carpal" (or wrist) bones, and the roof is formed by a fibrous band. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) is compression of the "median nerve", a nerve that passes through this small tunnel.

The median nerve supplies the structures in your hand (thumb - ring finger finger, see picture right) with electrical energy.

Anything that narrows that tunnel may put pressure on the nerve and create the classic CTS symptoms:

Hand Pain

Numbness & Tingling

Weakness

Joint Pain

Loss of Grip

Sensory Deficits

Common causes include thickening of the band that forms the roof of the tunnel, bony abnormalities such as arthritis or bony misalignment, swelling, space occupying lesion, etc.

Each of these causes will require very different forms of treatment, even though reported symptoms may be identical.

This is why it is very important to have an accurate diagnosis by a trained clinician.

It is important to note that CTS is also progressive. If left untreated, often times surgery will not even help. Permanent nerve damage, muscle atrophy and hand function loss may result.

The good news however is that most cases can be managed conservatively when accurately diagnosed early on.

Here at Forest Hills Rehabilitation we have the trained professionals available to help you find an accurate diagnosis:

Neurologists

Sports Medicine Physicians

Physical Therapists

                                         Chiropractorsdditionally we offer personal training and post rehabilitation therapy.

 

Safe, effective treatment is just a phone call away. Give us a call today to see how our techniques can benefit you!

(888) 595-7282