Definition - What does Carpal Tunnel Syndrome mean?
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is a medical condition that affects the hand and arm. It is a condition that is prevalent in women and the elderly and is usually experienced as a tingling or burning sensation, numbness, or pain in the hand and arm. The condition can be brought about by performing repetitive actions with the hand or arm such as typing, prolonged extending or flexing of the wrist, pregnancy, or diabetes.
SureHire explains Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
The carpal tunnel is a channel made up of the wrist bones and connective tissue through which the median nerve and the flexor tendons travel. The flexor tendons control the movement of the fingers and the median nerve provides feeling in the fingers. When the tissue around the flexor tendon swells, the median nerve is compressed. At the onset of carpal tunnel syndrome, conservative treatment can be applied such as using wrist splints and refraining from activity that is the causation of the condition. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and cortisone injections are also used to treat some cases. If the condition is left untreated, nerve damage can occur and more severe symptoms may be experienced. In advanced cases, a surgical procedure known as a carpal tunnel release may be performed.
