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What Causes Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?—Glastonbury, CT
Why You Might Have Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Chances are that if you have Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, simply navigating this website using your mouse and keyboard is enough to cause pain and tension in your wrist and hand. This condition results from the median nerve becoming compressed by the surrounding muscles and tendons in the Carpal Tunnel, a small passageway in the wrist that the nerve uses to reach your hand. The most telling symptoms are pain, stiffness, and tingling in the thumb, first two fingers, and wrist. While CTS is most often associated with office workers, there are actually multiple factors that can lead to its development, and being aware of them can provide the first step towards recovery.
The Primary Causes of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Repetitive Use
Doing the same hand and wrist motions over and over again for an extended period of time can cause the tendons and muscles that make up the Carpal Tunnel to become irritated and swell, which can place pressure on the sensitive nerve. Many people develop CTS due to using a mouse and keyboard all day long as part of their job-- it often leads to a person holding their wrist at an awkward angle or keeping the muscles tense. At the same time, it’s also fairly common for certain athletes, namely those who play baseball, tennis, or golf.
Heredity
Unfortunately, some people are simply born with a narrow Carpal Tunnel, which makes it easier for the median nerve to become compressed. This is often a trait that can run in families, so don’t be surprised if you have a relative that has experienced a similar issue!
Injury
Whenever someone falls, their natural instinct is to catch themselves with their hands, and this can end up placing a lot of stress on the wrist. In addition to a wide variety of other injuries, this can also lead to inflammation within the Carpal Tunnel, restricting space for the nerve and leading to pain.
Pregnancy
Pregnancy causes dramatic changes in a woman’s hormone levels, and this can sometimes lead to swelling within the Carpal Tunnel.
Other Health Conditions
Diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, and a thyroid gland imbalance can potentially affect the tissues of the Carpal Tunnel and lead to uncomfortable symptoms.
What Can You Do About Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?
Fortunately, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is very treatable, and often, conservative measures can lead to complete and long-lasting relief. Medication, activity modification, and wrist braces can be extremely effective, but for more severe cases, we can give the compressed nerve a protective sheath of fluid using a procedure called nerve hydrodissection. We can also use PRP and prolotherapy injections to speed up healing for the Carpal Tunnel, creating more room for the nerve.
If you’re tired of dealing with chronic wrist and hand pain, and you think it might be Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, it’s best to get an exam here at New England Stem Cell Institute. We’ll determine what is exactly causing your problem and recommend treatments that will take away your pain in the short-term and ensure it goes away for good. To schedule this appointment and start on the road to relief, contact us today.