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You're working at your desk, trying to ignore the tingling or numbness you've had for months in your hand and wrist. Suddenly, a sharp, piercing pain shoots through the wrist and up your arm. Just a passing cramp? More likely you have carpal tunnel syndrome, a painful progressive condition caused by compression of a key nerve in the wrist. Find out more from the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is a medical condition in which the median nerve is compressed at the wrist, leading to numbness and muscle weakness in the hand. Most cases of CTS are without known cause, genetic factors determine most of the risk, and the role of arm use and other environmental factors is disputed. Learn more about Carpal Tunnel Syndrome at Wikipedia. Wikipedia is a free online encyclopedia that is written collaboratively by volunteers.
The median nerve travels from the forearm into your hand through a tunnel in your wrist. The bottom and sides of this tunnel are formed by wrist bones. The top of the tunnel is covered by a strong band of connective tissue called a ligament. What is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and do you have symptoms? Take the Carpal Tunnel Screening Quiz to find out.
Open-release operations allow the surgeon to view the carpal tunnel directly, without the aid of a camera. Many surgeons prefer this approach because it is technically simple, safe and effective. Open-release surgery can be done for anybody with carpal tunnel syndrome. Learn more about surgery for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome from the Mayo Clinic.
There are no proven strategies to prevent carpal tunnel syndrome, but to protect your hands from a variety of ailments, take the following precautions.
The most common cause of CTS is swelling of the membranes that normally surround and lubricate the tendons as they glide in the tunnel. The signs and symptoms may be mild, moderate, or severe and usually worsen without treatment. Learn more about Carpal Tunnel Syndrome with this easy to understand website from The Center for Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine.
RSI Support groups are a self-help groups that provide information and support to people suffering from repetitive strain injuries (RSIs), primarily to the upper extremities and torso. They usually meet for group discussions, resource sharing, and guest speakers. This list from FAQ Typing Injury has the most comprehensive listing of RSI and Injured Worker Support Groups that we have found.
Repetitive Stress Injury and Carpal tunnel syndrome and repetitive stress disorders are preventable. The best possible scenario is never to develop symptoms, to work intelligently and to respect your body's needs. These simple and fun exercises will help you keep your computer from getting the best of you!
Workrave is a software program that assists in the recovery and prevention of Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI). The program frequently alerts you to take micro-pauses, rest breaks and restricts you to your daily limit. Workrave is currently available on GNU/Linux and Microsoft Windows.
As a neuromuscular massage therapist specializing in pain relief, Kathryn has been helping people feel better since 1992. Kathryn offers pain relief strategies for your carpal tunnel syndrome. With the reminder that "It took a while for you to develop the pain or discomfort you have in your hand, wrist or arm and it will take awhile to get rid of it."