What is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?
Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is a common condition affecting millions of Americans. It occurs “when pressure is placed on a nerve in your wrist, compressing it so that the messages that are usually sent through it become intermittent,” causing various symptoms ranging from minor to severe.
Symptoms of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Early signs often develop gradually and may be overlooked. Common symptoms include:
- Aches and pains in the arm, hand, or fingers
- Unusual sensations like heat, cold, numbness, tingling, and pin pricks
- Weak hands
- Difficulty gripping
- Problems using the thumb
Who is at Risk?
While anyone can develop CTS, certain groups face higher risk:
- People who are overweight or obese
- Pregnant individuals
- Those with diabetes or arthritis
- People with prior wrist injuries
- Those whose jobs involve repetitive wrist movements, including computer typing
How Typing Contributes to Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Typing itself doesn’t directly cause CTS, but “the small, repetitive movements required by someone who spends a lot of time typing” can trigger tendonitis. This inflammation in the wrist tendons places pressure on the median nerve, resulting in carpal tunnel syndrome.
Treatment Options
Non-surgical treatments include:
- Resting and working splints to support the wrist
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications
- Steroid injections for severe cases
Surgical treatment: Carpal tunnel release surgery reduces median nerve pressure through a palm incision, performed as outpatient day surgery under local anesthesia.
