Wrist & Hand
Carpal
Tunnel Syndrome
The carpal tunnel is a passageway in
the wrist. Passing through this tunnel is the median nerve
and the tendons that connect the fingers to the muscles of
the forearm. CTS occurs when this median nerve is pinched
because of swelling of the nerve, tendons, or both. CTS can
be caused by sports like racquetball or handball, daily activities
like sewing, typing, writing, driving, painting, etc. It is
common in people who perform repetitive motions of the hand
and wrist. It is most common in women aged 30-50.
Symptoms:
- Pain in the hand and wrist
- Tingling and numbness
- Weakness
- Typically, patients will wake at night with a burning or
aching pain with numbness and tingling and will shake their
hands to obtain relief and restore sensation.
Trigger finger is a condition in which your finger or thumb
locks or catches in a bent position. The finger or thumb may
straighten with a snap (like a trigger being pulled and released).
In a severe case, the finger may lock in the bent position.
This is caused by inflammation of the tendons in the finger.
The tendon is covered by a protective sheath, which is lined
with a lubricating fluid. When the tendon becomes inflamed,
bending the finger or thumb may pull the inflamed portion
through a narrowed tendon sheath, creating the snap or pop.
Symptoms:
- Soreness at the base of the afflicted finger or thumb
- Painful clicking or snapping when attempting to flex or
extend
- Catching worsens after inactivity
- In a more severe case, the finger may lock in either the
extended or flexed position and must be gently straightened
with the opposite hand
