What causes carpal tunnel syndrome?

If you’ve noticed tingling, numbness or dull ache in your fingers or weakness in your hand and you’ve started dropping things, you may be experiencing what’s known as carpal tunnel syndrome. You will want to see your doctor early, before it begins to interfere with regular activities or before the condition progresses and you have permanent nerve and muscle damage. Here we’re sharing the signs and symptoms and what you need to know about carpal tunnel syndrome.

What is carpal tunnel syndrome?

The carpal tunnel is a narrow passageway surrounded by bones and ligaments that are on the palm side of your hand. Carpal tunnel syndrome is caused by pressure on the median nerve, which provides sensation to the palm side of your hand, except the little finger. Patients report feeling numbness, tingling and weakness in the affected hand and arm.

What are the symptoms?

Symptoms start gradually, but you’ll first notice the tingling and numbness in your fingers and hand, usually the thumb and index. Some describe the sensation as “pins and needles feeling” or an electric shock that may travel from your wrist up to your arm. You may also experience weakness in your hand and find yourself dropping objects because of it. The thumb’s pinching muscles are controlled by the median nerve, and when there’s pressure on that nerve, the muscle loses control.

What causes it?

Often there is no single cause of carpal tunnel syndrome. Any or all of the following may be a contributing factor: wrist fracture; swelling and inflammation caused by rheumatoid arthritis or another bone or joint disease; hormonal or metabolic changes such as pregnancy or menopause; and frequent, repetitive movements such as typing or grasping movements such as with certain physical activities.

Treatment for carpal tunnel syndrome can relieve the symptoms and restore wrist and hand function. If you are experiencing the symptoms of this syndrome and are interested in learning your treatment options, contact our office today at (908) 879-2222 to schedule a consultation with Dr. Weinstein.

Posted in Uncategorized on June 15th, 2020

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