| Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) is often always | | | | than two million visits to physicians' offices each year. |
| misunderstood by many. Information and awareness | | | | First level |
| drive would help people recognize CTS. Here are the | | | | 1. Affected hand and wrist should be rested for at |
| common causes, risks associated with CTS and the | | | | least 2 weeks |
| different treatments available. | | | | 2. Avoid activities that may worsen symptoms |
| Causes | | | | 3. Use a splint for your arm to immobilizing the wrist |
| Like any other ailment, the cause of CTS can be | | | | and avoid it from twisting and bending. |
| attributed to many factors : | | | | 4. Apply cool packs to reduce swelling if it is inflamed |
| 1. A congenital predisposition - the carpal tunnel is | | | | Second level |
| simply smaller for some individuals. | | | | 1. Intake of drugs to ease the pain and swelling |
| 2. Wrist trauma or injury - sprain or fracture, | | | | caused by CTS |
| over-activity of the pituitary gland, hypothyroidism, | | | | 2. Do some stretching and strengthening exercises to |
| and, rheumatoid arthritis | | | | abate the symptoms. Seek the help of physical or |
| 3. Mechanical problems in the wrist joint | | | | occupational therapists. |
| 4. Work stress | | | | 3. Take some Yoga lessons which have been proven |
| 5. Repeated use of vibrating hand tools | | | | to reduce pain and improve grip strength of CTS |
| 6. Fluid retention during pregnancy or menopause | | | | patients. Some will suggest acupuncture and |
| 7. Development of a cyst or tumor in the canal | | | | chiropractic care but there is still no proven study on |
| Risks | | | | its effectiveness. |
| Here are some interesting facts about CTS : It is | | | | Third level |
| three times more likely to happen to women as men | | | | 1. Surgery – Some statistics indicates that there |
| maybe because women’s carpal tunnel is smaller | | | | is an approximately 260,000 carpal tunnel surgeries |
| than men; It is usually experienced by adults. Now | | | | performed each year in the U.S. alone. There are two |
| that we know these facts, what are the risks | | | | kind of CT release surgery : |
| involved? | | | | Open release surgery - a traditional procedure done |
| Persons with diabetes or other metabolic disorders | | | | to an outpatient. This procedure is used to correct |
| are at high risk. | | | | carpal tunnel syndrome which is performed under |
| People who are in the assembly line work | | | | local anesthesia. |
| (manufacturing, sewing, finishing, cleaning, and meat, | | | | Endoscopic surgery – this procedure allows faster |
| poultry, or fish packing) are more likely to develop | | | | functional recovery. It also brings less postoperative |
| CTS. A research even showed that it is 3x more | | | | discomfort than traditional open release surgery. |
| common among assemblers than data encoders. | | | | Prevention is always better. But is there a way to |
| Treatment | | | | prevent it? Read on and find out how you can |
| Do not procrastinate. When you feel the symptoms | | | | prevent CTS: |
| already, it is always best to consult a doctor. Have | | | | - perform stretching exercises |
| your treatment done as early as possible. Let us look | | | | - take frequent rest breaks |
| how CTS is treated in different ways at different | | | | - wear splints to keep wrists straight |
| levels. Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) results in more | | | | - use correct posture and wrist position. |