What is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?

Millions of people suffer from Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS). This is a condition that affects the hand, wrist, and may affect the upper extremities.  The tunnel is a narrow canal at the base of the palm that is defined by the bones of the wrist and the overlying transverse carpal ligament. The flexor tendons to the fingers and thumb, and the median nerve pass through the tunnel. The median nerve provides sensation to the thumb, index, and long fingers, and to part of the ring finger. It also provides strength to the muscles at the base of the thumb. CTS is a collection of symptoms resulting from compression or interference of the median nerve.

What are the Symptoms of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?

Symptoms can start with numbness and tingling at night often waking the patient from a sound sleep. Pain in the fingers and thumb, index finger and thumb can be most painful. The patient will awaken with these symptoms and shake the hand or hold it in a dangling position to relieve the pain. As the condition progresses, the symptoms become more noticeable and painful during the day, and can increase while driving, or doing something as simple as brushing hair or holding a coffee cup. The patient also may soon begin to notice weakness and may drop things. Procrastination on the patient’s part can cause nerve damage over time.

The most common symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome include:

  • Night pain, aching or numbness
  • Numbness, tingling and pain in the hand
  • Pain in the forearm that may travel toward the shoulder
  • A feeling of electric shock in the fingers or hand

Causes of carpal tunnel syndrome include:

  • Inflammation
  • Degenerative and arthritic conditions, herniated and degenerative disc in the cervical spine
  • Vertebral subluxation in cervical spine or misalignment
  • Repetitive use; repeating the same hand motions over a prolonged period of time can cause swelling and inflammation  as well as keyboard use
  • Medical conditions that can cause the condition to get worse are but not limited to diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, and thyroid disease
  • Tennis Elbow

Considering carpal tunnel surgery?

It is important that you know and understand the risks before you make the decision to have carpal tunnel surgery. Possible surgical complications include:

  • Infection
  • Persistent symptoms
  • Recurrent symptoms
  • Major Nerve Injury and damage

Returning symptoms of pain and tingling is possible after carpal tunnel surgery. Recurrent symptoms can be caused from scar tissue wrapping around the median nerve. The nerve may also scar down to surrounding structures within the carpal tunnel. Portions of the transverse carpal tunnel ligament may re-form and cause pressure on the nerve. The synovial tissue which surrounds the tendons may thicken over time causing further squeezing of the nerve. The outcome of revision surgery may not be as good as the original surgery. Major Nerve Injury is irreversible damage to the median nerve, branches of the median nerve, or nearby nerves are among the most serious complications of carpal tunnel surgery. If a nerve injury does occur, there can be pain and permanent loss of feeling and function.

Carpal tunnel surgery alternative at Spine Fine

Treatment at Spine Fine has successfully relieved the pain and discomfort of carpal tunnel in patients utilizing many different treatment aspects: These therapies include chiropractic care, nutrition as well as the leading edge non-invasive neurological treatment therapies. Treatment of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome with the Busch Carpal Tunnel Protocol is non-surgical, safe, and effective.

If you’re suffering with carpal tunnel, contact Spine Fine today to find out more about our non-surgical treatment.