Two conditions are often misdiagnosed as carpal tunnel syndrome because both have similar symptoms. They are repetitive stress injury (RSI), and thoracic outlet syndrome. The signs of carpal tunnel syndrome are numbness, general weakness, lack of coordination, an increased tendency to drop things, and eventually persistent pain. This can occur when a person repeatedly flexes or extends the wrist during frequent and rapid work movements. So today our toolbox topic is carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) - cause, symptoms and preventive measures.
Are you ready?
The median nerve provides sensation
and movement to the thumb side of the hand. This includes the palm, the thumb,
the index finger, the middle finger, and the ring finger side of the thumb
side.
The area in the wrist where the nerve
enters the hand is called the carpal tunnel. This is normally narrow. Any
inflammation can pinch the nerve and cause pain, numbness, tingling, or
weakness. This is called carpal tunnel syndrome. Some people with this problem
were born with a small carpal tunnel.
Two conditions are often misdiagnosed as carpal tunnel syndrome
Carpal tunnel syndrome causes
Carpal tunnel syndrome can also be
caused by making the same hand and wrist movements over and over again. The use
of vibrating hand tools can also lead to this syndrome. Studies have not shown
that carpal tunnel syndrome is caused by typing, using a mouse, or repeating
movements while working, playing a musical instrument, or playing sports. But
these activities can cause pain and swelling of the tendons or bursa in the
hand.
Other factors that can lead to carpal
tunnel syndrome include:
- Alcoholism
- Bone fractures and wrist arthritis
- Cyst or tumour growing on the wrist
- Infections
- Obesity
- Extra fluids that accumulate in the body during pregnancy or menopause
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Diseases that cause abnormal deposits of protein in the body (amyloidosis)
Carpal tunnel syndrome symptoms
Symptoms may include any of the
following:
- The clumsiness of the hand when grasping objects
- Numbness or tingling in the thumb and the next two or three fingers of one or both hands
- Numbness or tingling in the palm
- Pain extending to the elbow
- Hand or wrist pain in one or both hands
- Problems with fine finger movements (coordination) in one or both hands
- Atrophy of the muscle below the thumb (in advanced or prolonged cases)
- Weak grip or difficulty carrying bags (a common complaint)
- Weakness in one or both hands
Does carpal tunnel syndrome go away
Hand injuries can be traumatic, such
as losing a hand or one or more fingers. The truth is that in most cases of
work-related injuries, such as CTS, the causes can be difficult to discover or
seemingly innocuous.
According to Dr Dan Mass, director of
the University of Chicago Hand Rehabilitation Center, CTS symptoms don't always
occur at work. Symptoms can occur at night when the hands are at rest.
"Since we tend to sleep with our wrists bent, the nerve sleeps, too, and
we can wake up with a tingling sensation," says Dr Mass..jpg "Two conditions are often misdiagnosed as carpal tunnel syndrome")
Two conditions are often misdiagnosed as carpal tunnel syndrome
Since CTS is often reversible if
treated in the early stages, you should know what to do if you feel you
have this problem. Unfortunately, says Dr Mass, there are no exercises designed
to lessen the effects of CTS once it develops. "The best treatment is rest,"
continues Dr Mass.
But here, in our work, we can make
some modifications that reduce the problems related to this syndrome:
- Reduce the speed with which we perform certain functions with our hands: this is not always possible, but it is probably the best prevention.
- Make sure that the kind and stress of movements that the hands perform change during the work rotation.
- During rest periods, stretch your arms and hands to remove built-up tension from your muscles and improve blood circulation.
Carpal tunnel syndrome getting worse
It is very damaging to hide an STC
condition. If someone develops this disease, it is a sign that something is not
working well. In any case, the doctor will give the final diagnosis.
Early diagnosis and anti-inflammatory
medications can often slow the effects of CTS. If left untreated long enough,
permanent nerve damage can occur. In this case, the only effective treatment is
usually surgery. The surgery itself can leave some side effects, such as an
acute sensitivity to any sensation in the palm and a decrease in the ability to
grasp or in the strength of the fingers.
If any of you ever have to undergo
surgery to cure this disease, it is possible that when you return to work you
will have to perform another type of occupation. In many cases, however, the
same kind of work can continue to be completed after necessary modifications
have been made.
Although this evil is widespread today
in many industries in almost all countries, it is very possible that we can
prevent it from happening here in our company.
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.jpg "Two conditions are often misdiagnosed as carpal tunnel syndrome") |
| Two conditions are often misdiagnosed as carpal tunnel syndrome |
.jpg "Two conditions are often misdiagnosed as carpal tunnel syndrome") |
| Two conditions are often misdiagnosed as carpal tunnel syndrome |
.jpg "Two conditions are often misdiagnosed as carpal tunnel syndrome") |
| Two conditions are often misdiagnosed as carpal tunnel syndrome |
