 |
| Carpal Tunnel Syndrome |
|
|
|
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is the name given to a group of symptoms that includes swelling, pain,
tingling, and loss of strength in your wrist and hand.
|
|
|
Carpal tunnel syndrome is three times more common in women than in men.
It can occur at any age, but tends to affect those in their 40s and 50s.
The risk increases for both men and women as they age.
|
|
|
'Carpal' is a medical term that refers to the wrist.
The small bones in the wrist form a narrow channel (the carpal tunnel) that is covered by a tough ligament
called the flexor retinaculum. The flexor tendons which run down from the muscles in the forearm to bend the
fingers pass through this tunnel. The median nerve which controls movement of the thumb and carries information
back to the brain about sensations felt in the thumb and fingers (particularly the index,
middle and (occasionally) the ring fingers) also passes through this narrow channel.
The carpal channel is very narrow, particularly in women and any swelling around it can put pressure on the median nerve,
interfering with the nerve impulses causing the symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome.
|
|
|
|
| Symptoms |
|
|  |  |
Pain |
|
| |
| Aching / burning feeling in the hand or fingers |
|
| |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
| Tingling in the fingers, "pins and needles" |
|
| |
| A swollen feeling even if the wrist is not swollen |
|
|
| |
| Weakness of hands over a period of time |
|
| |
| Loss of feeling in some fingers |
|
|
| |
| Permanent weakness of thumb, wasting of thumb |
|
| |
| Unable to differentiate between hot and cold by touch |
|
|
|
|
Only the fingers served by the median nerve - the thumb, the index and middle fingers,
and part of the ring finger - are affected by Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.
The dominant hand is usually the one that is affected first although both hands may become affected.
The pain may move from the wrist upwards to the forearm or downwards to the palm of the hand.
The symptoms often appear at night initially, gradually becoming progressively worse.
|
|
|
Many people with carpal tunnel syndrome sleep with flexed wrists and wake up feeling the need to 'shake out' the hand
in order to relieve the pain and tingling. Some people find that the symptoms can be brought on by
manual activities such as writing, typing, sewing or DIY. As the symptoms become worse the hands become
weaker and the person becomes unable to make a fist or grasp small objects. |
|
|
|
| Causes |
|
|
Causes of carpal tunnel syndrome include: |
|
|
Congenital disposition |
|
|
Trauma or injury to wrist causing swelling |
|
|
Mechanical problem in the wrist |
|
|
Overactivity of the pituitary gland; hypothyroidism; rheumatoid arthritis |
|
|
Fluid retention due to kidney failure or during pregnancy or menopause |
|
|
Cyst arising in the carpal tunnel |
|
|
Changes to the median nerve e.g. with diabetes |
|
|
Work stress |
|
|
Carpal tunnel syndrome is often the result of a combination of factors that increase pressure on the
median nerve and tendons in the carpal tunnel. Some jobs can be associated with carpal tunnel syndrome.
e.g. workers who use vibrating tools are particularly at risk. Workers who perform repetitive movements
with their wrists and hands can develop inflamed tendons or swelling in the carpal tunnel and may also be
more likely to develop carpal tunnel syndrome.
|
|
|
The risk of developing carpal tunnel syndrome is higher in manufacturing and assembly line workers,
grocery store checkers, carpenters, butchers and workers involved in sewing and meat, fish and poultry packing.
|
|
|
|
| Diagnosis / Treatment of Carpal tunnel Syndrome |
|
|
Carpal tunnel syndrome can be diagnosed from an examination and description of your symptoms.
Your GP may refer you to a specialist in diagnosing and treating conditions such as carpal tunnel syndrome.
A diagnosis can usually be confirmed by a series of tests which may include the Tinel test, the Phalen test,
a nerve conduction study, electromyography and / or ultrasound imaging.
|
|
|
It is important to obtain an early diagnosis and treatment to avoid permanent damage to the median nerve.
Some people recover from carpal tunnel syndrome especially if the underlying cause is removed, for example,
when diabetes or an underactive thyroid is treated. If treated early, mild cases usually get better without surgery.
|
|
|
|
| Claiming compensation for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome |
|
|
To make a successful claim, it is necessary to show that your diagnosis of carpel tunnel syndrome exists as a
result of the work you have been undertaking and that your employer was negligent in not taking enough
precautions to prevent the condition. |
|
For a free assessment as to whether you can make a compensation claim for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome call us on: Freephone 0800 783 9535.
Our office hours are 8am - 9pm, Monday - Friday. 9am - 5pm, Saturday and Sunday
|
|
|
|
© HelpMeClaim Ltd - All rights reserved |
|
|
