Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

About

Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is a condition caused by increased pressure on the median nerve at the level of wrist.

Compression of median nerve at the level of wrist results in numbness, tingling, and pain in the arm, hand, and fingers. There is a space in the wrist, called the carpal tunnel which is approximately as wide as the thumb. When pressure gets built up in this tunnel, it compresses the nerve passing through (the median nerve) the tunnel and results in impairment of the normal functioning of hand and fingers owing to the pain and numbness. Several tendons and blood vessels also pass through this tunnel.

Median nerve is the most essential component of carpel tunnel. It provides sensation to thumb, index, and middle finger of the hand. Any condition which injures the flexor tendons of the forearm while passing through the carpal tunnel results in inflammation of the tendons further causing squeezing or irritation of this nerve resulting in carpal tunnel syndrome.

Medications like nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are used to control pain. The Carpal Tunnel Syndrome can be avoided by doing simple exercises.