If you suffer from carpal tunnel syndrome, you are well aware of how limiting it can be. This condition, which is caused by the compression of the median nerve within the wrist, can cause pain and weakness in certain parts of the hand and/or wrist.
Do you experience the effects of CTS?
Do You Have Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?
CTS is fairly common, affecting about 2.7 percent of the population. Usually, people are between the ages of 40 and 50 when they develop this condition, although they can be younger or older.
To know for sure if you have CTS, you need to see a healthcare provider. However, if you are experiencing these symptoms, there’s a chance you may have carpal tunnel syndrome:
- Pain, numbness, and weakness in the fingers or hands.
- A feeling of “pins and needles” in the thumb, index, and middle fingers, and half of the ring finger.
- Pain in the wrist.
If you are experiencing these symptoms, make an appointment with your general practitioner or physiotherapist to learn more about the condition and find out if you have it.
Common Causes of CTS
Carpal tunnel syndrome is a condition that can have a wide array of causes. Here are just a few, according to Virtual Medicine Center:
- Heredity
- Overuse
- Wrist injury
- Diabetes mellitus
- Pregnancy and fluid accumulation states
- Hypothyroidism
- Rheumatoid arthritis and other joint disorders
- Menopause
- Acromegaly
- Systemic inflammation
- End-stage renal disease and dialysis
These risk factors should be discussed with your general doctor or physiotherapist.
3 Things You Should Know About Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
If you feel you may have CTS or have been diagnosed with it, be encouraged by these three facts about the condition:
1. It is treatable — Unlike some conditions, carpal tunnel syndrome often responds well to treatment. Some treatments include wrist splinting, medications, surgery, physiotherapy, and/or rest from activities that aggravate the condition.
2. Its prognosis with surgery is excellent — Carpal tunnel syndrome can be a barrier to performing daily tasks with ease. Thankfully, it has a great prognosis with surgery. “Prognosis with surgery is very good, with 90% of patients obtaining long lasting relief from CTS symptoms,” stated Carpal Tunnel: Symptoms and Treatment Information. Not everyone with CTS will require surgery. However, those who do often find relief long-term. Many can avoid surgery by working with a physiotherapist.
3. It often responds well to physiotherapy — Looking for a drug-free treatment for CTS? Try physiotherapy. “Fortunately for most people who develop CTS, physical therapy treatment can often relieve pain and numbness and restore normal use of the hand, wrist, and arm without the need for surgery.” To learn more, contact a physiotherapy clinic near you.
Find a Physiotherapist Near Winnipeg
Do you feel you may have carpal tunnel syndrome? If so, reach out to a local physiotherapy clinic. If you need a physiotherapist near Winnipeg, contact our friendly team at Elite Sports Injury Physiotherapy Clinics. We’d be happy to hear from you.