Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Wrist/Hand >Â Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Carpal Tunnel is caused by pinching of the medial nerve that runs on the palmar side of the hand, resulting in numbness, tingling, or weakness in your thumb, pointer, and middle fingers.
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Mechanism of Injury: Carpal tunnel often comes on over time, and is most common in people who make small, frequent movements with their hands (typing, tool manipulation, etc.). Sometimes, the nerve compression occurs higher up in the shoulder or neck - this is why it is important to be assessed by a physical therapist. Primary care providers and hand surgeons typically do not look for other areas of entrapment, which may result in an unnecessary and ineffective carpal tunnel surgery.
Contributing Factors: Poor posture. Fluid retention/pregnancy. Career/hobbies.
Signs/Symptoms:Â Tingling/numbness in the arm/wrist/hand. Weakness in the affected wrist/hand.
At Home Tests: Tinel’s Sign (see video), Phalen’s Test (see video).Â
At Home Treatment: Rest. Avoid triggering activity. Ice to relieve swelling.
When to Seek Help: Contact your physical therapist if symptoms continue or get worse in 7 days, or if you have difficulty performing various activities of daily living.
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Treatment at Inspired Athletx: Treatment at Inspired Athletx begins with a thorough examination and proper diagnosis. Unfortunately, most healthcare providers will immediately diagnose any tingling/numbness in the hands as CTS without looking for nerve entrapment higher up the chain, leading to many unnecessary and ineffective carpal tunnel surgeries. Once you have the correct clinical diagnosis, your physical therapist will use manual therapy to improve mobility in the areas where the nerve is being trapped, corrective exercises to improve posture and reduce the likelihood of future entrapment, and activity and ergonomic modifications to reduce entrapment with work or hobbies. Click here to schedule a physical therapy evaluation with us.
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Disclaimer: The content contained in this section of the website is intended for informational purposes only. It does not constitute medical advice and is not intended to function as a substitute for a professional diagnosis or treatment from a licensed healthcare provider.
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