Carpal Tunnel Syndrome or CTS
Copyright 1995 Health ResponseAbility Systems, Inc.
Carpal tunnel syndrome is a type of repetitive motion injury.
This hand condition primarily results from performing the same
motions for hours at a time, as when a VDT (video display
terminal) operator types continuously. The syndrome is named for
the narrow tunnel in the wrist formed by ligament and bone.
Tendons that enable the hand to close pass through the carpal
tunnel.
Carpal tunnel syndrome isn't always an medical problem, but
is sometimes accompanied by other diseases or conditions. Some
disorders such as diabetes, hypothyroidism, and rheumatoid
arthritis sometimes contribute to the syndrome.
What Are The Symptoms Of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?
Symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome may include:
1. Numbness in the fingers or hands
2. Weakness in the fingers or hands
3. Pain from the wrist, that may seem to shoot up into the
forearm
or down into the palm of the hand or surface of the fingers
4. Tingling in the fingers or hands
5. Burning in the fingers and hands
6. Difficulty opening and closing hands.
If the condition is not treated, carpal tunnel syndrome may
result in permanent injury and loss of the use of the hand.
Prevention And Self-Care Techniques
The American Physical Therapy Association recommends several
steps to prevent or alleviate the symptoms of carpal tunnel
syndrome caused by keyboard work:
1. Keep wrists relaxed and straight, using only finger movements
to strike the keys. Your typing table should be slightly higher
than your elbows when your arms are held relaxed by your sides.
Rest your elbows by your sides or support them with special arm
rests now available on some office chairs. Relax your shoulders
and keep them level.
2. Press keys with the minimum pressure necessary. Make sure the
keyboard is kept clean and in good working order to minimize
resistance.
3. Move your entire hand to press hard-to-reach keys rather than
overextending your fingers. Use two hands if necessary to execute
combination keystrokes, such as shifting to upper case.
4. Break up typing tasks with other activities--such as
proofreading, filing, or telephone work--to rest fatigued
muscles.
Others report that:
1. Elevation of extremity may help relieve symptoms, when soft
tissue swelling is the cause.
2. Splinting of the hand and forearm at night may also help.
Diagnosing Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
In addition to a physical evaluation by a physician that may
include a Tinel sign test, an electomyogram may be recommended to
diagnosis carpal tunnel syndrome or to rule out other possible
causes of the symptoms.
Treatment Options For Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Treatments options for carpal tunnel syndrome may include wearing
a splint, resting the joint, immobilization of the wrist,
medications (such as corticosteroids), and in some cases surgery.
The benefits, risks and costs of all treatment options should be
discussed with a qualified physician.
Document ID: lhf00223
These stretches can be done at your desk and can help ease strain for folks who use keyboards or who write for extended periods of time. They can help prevent repetitive motion injuries involving the wrist, such as carpal tunnel syndrome:
1. Spread your fingers, and place the tips on the palm side (including your thumb) against the side of your desk, your other hand or other surface. Gently push against the surface, bending at the joints where your fingers join your hand and at your wrist. This helps to stretch the tendons and muscles in your wrist and forearm. Hold for about five seconds, and repeat three to six times for each hand.
2. With your palm facing the floor, bend your wrist downward and push on the backs of your fingers with the other hand. Push the fingers of the first hand against this resistance until you feel it in your upper forearm muscles.
Hold each move for about five seconds with your wrist bent as far as it will go in each direction. Repeat each move several times.
3. Sit straight in your chair. Place your palms onto the chair, under your thighs, with fingers pointing inward. Slowly extend your arms and feel the stretch in your forearms. Hold for 15 seconds, relax, then repeat three times.
Want to talk with others who have repetitive strain injury? Check out Better Health's mutual support chats (Keyword: Better Health > Events, Chats button > Repetitive Strain Injury).
Copyright 1997, Health ResponseAbility Systems, Inc.
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