Are your hands and fingers feeling chronically numb, tingly or weak? Have you been told you may have carpal tunnel syndrome, sometimes referred to as CTS? Here are some answers to questions you probably have.
What is a carpal and where is the tunnel?
Carpal bones are a fancy name for the wrist bones. The eight carpal bones form a hollowed, concave surface, which serves as a floor for a tunnel that shelters one nerve and nine tendons. That tunnel structure is called a transverse carpal. When there is increased pressure in that tunnel—usually because the tunnel has narrowed—a patient experiences a syndrome of symptoms, including numbness, tingling and weakness.
What causes CTS?
CTS can be caused by inflammation of the tendons in the carpal tunnel, an increase in the fullness of the tunnel’s blood vessels or a narrowing of the space in the tunnel, often due to repetitive wrist positions.
Do I have CTS because I type a lot?
You might. The motions and positions of the wrist during constant typing can cause a narrowing in the space of the carpal tunnel. If you type with correct ergonomic positioning (straight wrists) this will decrease your susceptibility to CTS. An inexpensive wrist support pad in front of your keypad can help.
Does CTS ever go away?
The earlier you seek medical treatment for your symptoms, the better the chance you have of preventing permanent nerve damage. Your doctor can also guide you to find safer ways to perform activities such as typing. Your doctor can see if the nerve is permanently damaged by performing a test called electromyography or EMG.
If you think you might be suffering from carpal tunnel syndrome, call 866.804.1007 to find a doctor who can help.
Stacy Oster, MS, OTR/L, CHT is a senior occupational therapist and certified hand therapist at Beth Israel Medical Center.