| Carpal tunnel syndrome is a very specific nerve | | | | area to prevent reoccurrence. Rarely are shots, |
| disorder where the median nerve, which starts at the | | | | surgery or other invasive procedures needed. |
| neck and runs from the forearm into the hand, | | | | Uncomplicated recovery can take anywhere from 2 |
| becomes compressed or squeezed at the wrist. In | | | | weeks to 2 months depending on severity. |
| some cases there may also be compression at the | | | | The second cousin of CTS is called Thoracic Outlet |
| spine. | | | | Syndrome or TOS. TOS is a condition of blockage or |
| The symptoms of Carpal Tunnel syndrome include | | | | irritation of the blood vessels and nerves as they |
| pain, tingling, and/or numbness in the wrist or hand. | | | | pass from the side of the neck down into the |
| Often people suffering from CTS will lose grip | | | | shoulder to supply the upper extremity. Tightness of |
| strength, so much so that sometimes people find | | | | the muscles of the front and side of the neck are |
| they cannot hold a coffee cup or even a pencil | | | | often the cause of the condition. Auto accidents, |
| without difficulty. | | | | postural stress (prolonged desk, computer and phone |
| A specific examination can easily pinpoint the correct | | | | use) and poor sleeping posture (stomach sleeping or |
| diagnosis, but doctors are often rushed and make | | | | poor fitting pillow) are all root causes of TOS. TOS |
| snap diagnosis based solely on symptoms. | | | | symptoms include numbness, pain, tinglingof the hand, |
| That's precisely (I'm using that specific word on | | | | wrist or arm. Often patients will report waking up |
| purpose and you'll see why later) why CTS surgery | | | | with their arm feeling like it is a "lead pipe." It may |
| often fails and that's why other treatments you may | | | | improve once out of bed or may remain. |
| have had for CTS have not panned out. You may | | | | Females are much more prone to TOS probably due |
| not have CTS after all! | | | | to their more complex neurovascular network in the |
| Here are 2 "Cousins" to CTS. I call them "cousins" | | | | area. |
| because they are related to CTS and are often | | | | Once again, a competent examination will precisely |
| misidentified as CTS, but are definitely not the same | | | | uncover whether you are suffering from TOS or |
| thing and require unique treatment strategies to | | | | CTS. A few simple noninvasive manual tests will |
| eliminate them. | | | | make the distinction. |
| First cousin is a type of tendonitis (inflammation of a | | | | Treatment involves removing inflammation and/or |
| tendon or the tube-like sheath it slides through) called | | | | irritation of the nerves and relaxation of the muscles. |
| Lateral Stenosing Tenosynovitis (!), oh that's a | | | | Underlying postural and biomechanical problems of the |
| technical medical term, here's the easier to remember | | | | neck need to be addressed to keep the condition |
| version, DeQuervain's tendonitis. | | | | from returning, as is ergonomic counseling to make |
| This condition involves a tendon of the thumb and | | | | workposture less offensive. Uncomplicated recovery |
| wrist that is irritated usually by excessive writing or | | | | can be expected in 2-4 weeks in most cases. |
| hand tool use. Once swollen, the tendon cannot slide | | | | A comprehensive examination by a competent |
| easily through it's sheath causing pain and sometimes | | | | Doctor of Chiropractic specializing in orthopedics can |
| a prickly burning sensation of the wrist or hand near | | | | determine if your hand and wrist symptoms are |
| the thumb. | | | | carpal tunnel or if it is actually caused by one of |
| This is often misdiagnosed as CTS. A competent | | | | these "cousins." After initial treatment, he or she can |
| doctor will precisely make this diagnosis with one | | | | also advise on at-home stretching exercises that can |
| manual test...they just need to bother to take the | | | | be done to help recovery and prevent relapse. In |
| time to do it. | | | | some cases, hidden spinal and neck problems can |
| Once a correct diagnosis is made, treatment usually | | | | influence, and be the key to treating the cause vs. |
| involves very short term splinting or bracing, rest | | | | the symptom. |
| from activity and specific therapy modalities designed | | | | New space age medical technology exists that can |
| to reduce inflammation and improve mobility of the | | | | pinpoint where the hand and wrist pain is coming |
| tendon through it's sheath. Then rehabilitative | | | | from and can heal tendons and nerves practically at |
| exercises and stretches are done to strengthen the | | | | the speed of light. |