Understanding the Root Cause of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Understanding the Root Cause of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Carpal tunnel syndrome is one of the most pervasive nerve conditions in the United States, impacting upwards of 10 million people

One of the best ways to treat and avoid carpal tunnel syndrome is to understand what causes it. Here, Dr. David Wu, our interventional pain management specialist at CurePain, explores carpal tunnel syndrome and its root cause.

The problem behind carpal tunnel syndrome

To understand what causes carpal tunnel syndrome, it’s best to begin with an anatomy lesson. 

Your wrist is equipped with a rigid structure called the carpal tunnel, which is made of a variety of bones, tendons, and ligaments and creates a passageway from your wrist to your hand. 

Here, the median nerve passes through and supplies sensation to your thumb, your index and middle finger, and the thumb side of your ring finger. It also sends the necessary nerve signals that help you achieve motor function in your thumb. 

Carpal tunnel syndrome develops whenever the median nerve becomes squeezed or irritated. The result is tingling, numbness, and weakness in your hands and fingers. 

A variety of factors can result in stress on your median nerve, including:

Perhaps the most common risk factor of carpal tunnel is repetitive stress. If you have a job that requires you to repeat wrist movements, work with vibrating tools, or even type for long periods, it can cause damaging stress on your median nerve.

Treatment for carpal tunnel syndrome

Treating carpal tunnel syndrome as soon as possible is important. Leaving it untreated can increase your risk for permanent nerve damage and chronic wrist pain. 

We diagnose carpal tunnel syndrome through a variety of physical exams and imaging tests. We take the time to thoroughly review your symptoms and health history before reaching a diagnosis. 

If we determine that you have carpal tunnel syndrome, we often recommend that you begin by wearing a wrist-hand orthotic. To help you manage discomfort and other symptoms, we typically recommend corticosteroid injections that help control inflammation in your wrist. 

Should these early interventions fail, you may be a candidate for an outpatient surgical procedure to repair the damage in your wrist. 

Other strategies for carpal tunnel syndrome

Beyond braces and injections, there are certain adjustments you can make that help you manage carpal tunnel syndrome. For example, changing the patterns of your hand and wrist use can reduce the amount of repetitive stress on your median nerve. 

You may also try the following:

It’s also a good idea to keep your hands and wrists warm, as colder temperatures can cause stiffness. If you can’t control the temperature, try fingerless gloves that offer warmth and mobility. 

If you suspect you have carpal tunnel syndrome, and you’d like to get started on treatment, you can request an appointment online or over the phone at our Torrance, California, office today.

You Might Also Enjoy...

I Have Pain After Surgery: What Could It Be?

You expected discomfort during recovery but didn’t expect to still be in pain for weeks, months, or even years post-op. Keep reading to discover why you might still struggle with pain after your operation.
How to Get to the Root of Your Recurrent Headaches

How to Get to the Root of Your Recurrent Headaches

Like an annoying relative who can’t take a hint, recurrent headaches overstay their welcome and keep coming back. Want to kick them out for good? Keep reading for an expert’s guide to diagnosing and treating recurrent headaches.
5 Lifestyle Habits to Embrace while Managing Arthritis

5 Lifestyle Habits to Embrace while Managing Arthritis

Your arthritis pain is taking over your life — can you walk back the disease? There may be if you commit to making a few simple lifestyle changes. Here’s everything you should know about living life with your joints in mind.
4 Common Causes of Chronic Wrist Pain

4 Common Causes of Chronic Wrist Pain

Are you stuck on the sidelines at the hands of wrist pain? In this blog, we uncover what’s behind it and highlight the treatments we offer to help you get back to doing what you love.
How to Make the Most of Your Physical Therapy 

How to Make the Most of Your Physical Therapy 

Physical therapy isn’t a get-better-quick kind of solution. But that doesn’t mean you have to sit back and wait for results. Here’s our experts’ take on getting the most out of your physical therapy program.