Carpal tunnel syndrome is a painful medical condition that affects the hands and wrists. This part of the eMedTV Web site talks about this condition in detail, including its causes, symptoms, and treatment options.
Carpal tunnel syndrome is the result of pressure on the median nerve and tendons in the carpal tunnel. This eMedTV page further explores the causes of carpal tunnel syndrome and lists factors that may increase your risk of developing the condition.
The carpal tunnel is a space in the wrist, in which the median nerve extends from your forearm to your hand. This eMedTV resource offers a detailed description of this part of the body and explains what happens when there is not enough space within it.
Tingling, numbness, and pain are some of the common symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome. This eMedTV article explains how these symptoms can also include decreased grip strength that can make it hard to perform manual tasks.
When diagnosing carpal tunnel syndrome, your doctor will perform a physical exam to look for symptoms. This eMedTV article describes tests that are used in making a diagnosis and lists other conditions that share similar symptoms.
As this eMedTV selection explains, treatment for carpal tunnel may involve either surgical or non-surgical procedures. This article lists the various treatment options that are available and offers tips for modifying some daily activities.
Certain exercises, combined with splinting and activity modification, can help with carpal tunnel syndrome. This eMedTV segment contains a list of carpal tunnel exercises that can be performed routinely to treat and prevent carpal tunnel syndrome.
Carpal tunnel surgery, which reduces pressure on the median nerve, can help reduce wrist and hand pain. This eMedTV segment describes the two kinds of surgery and offers vital information on the risks and benefits of each.
As this eMedTV article explains, endoscopic carpal tunnel release is a type of carpal tunnel surgery that makes use of a specialized video camera called an endoscope. This resource explains how the procedure is performed.
Open carpal tunnel release involves cutting the carpal ligament to examine the tendons for damage. This eMedTV segment explains how an open carpal tunnel release is performed, including information on the possible removal of synovial coverings.
Strategies to prevent carpal tunnel syndrome include varying tasks, relaxing the grip, and staying warm. This eMedTV resource offers helpful tips to minimize a person's chances of developing this condition, including in the workplace.
