Our palm is supplied by 2 nerves- median and ulnar nerve. Median nerve supplies thumb, index, middle finger, and half of ring finger. Ulnar nerves carry sensation from little finger and half of ring finger. Median nerve travels from neck till hand. At wrist median nerve travels in compact tunnel called carpal tunnel along with tendons of muscles of forearm where it is prone for compression. The condition is known as carpal tunnel syndrome.
What are the symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome?
- Tingling and numbness in palm and fingers
- Weakness in fingers making the grip weak
- Pain in palm and fingers which may radiate to forearm and arm
- Swelling in fingers
- Pins and needles
What are the causes of carpal tunnel syndrome?
- Wrist injury
- Using vibrating tools such as driller
- Hypothyroidism
- Pregnancy
- Diabetes
- Cyst or tumor in carpal tunnel
- Rheumatoid arthritis
What is the treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome?
- Treatment of underlying condition such as rheumatoid arthritis, hypothyroidism, diabetes
- Wrist Splint to be used specially at night
- Icing, elevation of hand
- Over the counter pain killers may help few in acute stage
- Physiotherapy
- Steroid injection in carpal tunnel
- Dry needling of forearm muscles is the novel and side effect free treatment which effectively treats the condition
