Carpel Tunnel Syndrome

By Physiofusion Ltd

18 Mar 2021

capal-tunnel-syndrome-wrist-in-splint-e1544176194509.jpg

Often when we experience tingling or pain in the wrist/fingers, we can usually assume this is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. It is a condition which, if suspected, should never be left, as it can worsen and lead to long-term problems.

What is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?

Carpal tunnel syndrome is a neuropathy, which simply means injury to a nerve – in this case, the Median nerve which starts in your neck and runs down your arm into your hand. Nerves send signals from your brain to tell specific muscles to work, sending signals from the skin to the brain, so you know where you have been touched.

An injury to a nerve causes dysfunction in these transmissions, which can lead to altered sensation and muscle weakness. With CTS, this altered sensation can be felt as tingling in the thumb, index finger, middle finger and the thumb side of your ring finger, whilst weakness can be exhibited by a loss of muscle bulk in the fleshy thumb side of the palm of your hand, as well as hand weakness and loss of manual dexterity.

The carpal tunnel itself is a small space in the wrist where the Median nerve enters the hand. This tunnel is made of bones and ligaments; however, it is not just the nerve that sits in this tunnel, various tendons which attach to the forearm muscles are in this area too. The Median nerve can become aggravated or entrapped, usually due to either an aggravation of the tendons in the carpal tunnel or because the carpal tunnel itself narrows.

Typically, CTS affects those who regularly use their hands and wrists in repetitive tasks such as typing, drilling, sanding etc, although other factors such as pregnancy and rheumatoid arthritis can also make you more susceptible.

What to do if we have CTS?

If you experience pain, numbness or altered sensation in the thumb side of the hand and wrist, which may start off as being quite intermittent, then it is important to get it looked at by a Physiotherapist. They should be able to determine if your condition is CTS or whether or not it could be a different nerve condition which may require treatment. CTS can benefit from Physiotherapy intervention in mild to moderate cases which can involve activity modification, exercise, manual therapy, electrotherapy and splinting, as well as recommending referrals in certain cases.

Early intervention leading to appropriate treatment and referrals where required can provide better long-term outcomes for patients, whilst ignoring this condition could sadly lead to increased long-term damage.

If you have any concerns regarding nerve damage or you would like some advice, reach out to our team of experts using our FREE Ask A Physio service online.

Latest news

1

Supermarket stays put in blow to town's £250m masterplan Blackburn Aerial

Supermarket stays put in blow to town's £250m masterplan

28 Mar 2024

2

Modern Milkman acquires American counterpart article placeholder listing image

Modern Milkman acquires American counterpart

28 Mar 2024

3

Tips for surviving Lancashire's pothole plague

Tips for surviving Lancashire's pothole plague

28 Mar 2024

4

The Pikes wines launched to support Lake District mountain rescue THE PIKES BLOG BANNER.jpg.jpg

The Pikes wines launched to support Lake District mountain rescue

28 Mar 2024

5

Fundraising success sees Stanley Women compete in Dallas Cup The Accrington Stanley Under 18s team which are currently in Dallas.jpg.jpg

Fundraising success sees Stanley Women compete in Dallas Cup

28 Mar 2024

Hwc 2024 Email Signature 980x120
Background image for hub sign up block

LBV Hub

Reach 50,000 members of the Lancashire business community

Post your news
Post your events
Post your offers
Company profile
Social reach
Magazine coverage
Sign-up
Events
Health and Wellbeing Conference 2024
Hwc 2024 Social Media 1200px 1
Networking
23 Apr 2024

Health and Wellbeing Conference 2024

Crow Wood Hotel, Burnley , BB12 0RT

08:30 - 13:00

Business Networking in Preston - BNI Brunch
EVENT LISTING SIZING Brunch .png.png
LBV Hub Networking
29 Mar 2024

Business Networking in Preston - BNI Brunch

Samlesbury Preston Hotel, Preston New Road, Preston, PR5 0UL

09:30 - 11:00

Business Networking in Blackburn - BNI Infinity
EVENT LISTING BNI Infinity.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
29 Mar 2024

Business Networking in Blackburn - BNI Infinity

Hampton by Hilton, 2 Frontier Ave, Blackburn, BB1 3AL

06:30 - 08:30

Business Networking in Chorley - BNI Endeavour
EVENT LISTING SIZING Endeavour.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
02 Apr 2024

Business Networking in Chorley - BNI Endeavour

Oak Royal, Bury Lane, Chorley, PR6 8SW

06:30 - 08:30

Business Networking in Blackburn - BNI Vista
EVENT LISTING SIZING Vista.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
02 Apr 2024

Business Networking in Blackburn - BNI Vista

Hampton by Hilton, 2 Frontier Ave, Blackburn, BB1 3AL

06:45 - 08:30

Business Networking in Accrington - BNI Zeus
EVENT LISTING SIZING Zeus.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
03 Apr 2024

Business Networking in Accrington - BNI Zeus

The Mill House, Corn Mill Yard, Accrington, BB5 5HX

06:45 - 08:30

Business Networking in Preston - BNI Diamond
EVENT LISTING BNI Diamond.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
03 Apr 2024

Business Networking in Preston - BNI Diamond

The Marriot Hotel, Garstang Road, Broughton, PR3 5JB

07:15 - 09:00

Business Networking in Lancaster - Eden Business Network
EVENT LISTING Eden Business Network.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
03 Apr 2024

Business Networking in Lancaster - Eden Business Network

The Borough, 3 Dalton Square, Lancaster, LA1 1PP

18:30 - 20:30

Business Networking in Burnley - BNI Kudos
EVENT LISTING BNI Kudos.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
04 Apr 2024

Business Networking in Burnley - BNI Kudos

Prairie Sports Village, Windemere Avenue, Burnley, BB10 2FU

06:45 - 08:30

Business Networking in Lancaster - BNI Castle
EVENT LISTING BNI Castle.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
04 Apr 2024

Business Networking in Lancaster - BNI Castle

Vale of Lune RUFC, Powder House Lane, Lancaster, LA1 2TT

06:45 - 08:30

Business Networking in Preston - BNI Brunch
EVENT LISTING SIZING Brunch .png.png
LBV Hub Networking
05 Apr 2024

Business Networking in Preston - BNI Brunch

Samlesbury Preston Hotel, Preston New Road, Preston, PR5 0UL

09:30 - 11:00

Business Networking in Blackburn - BNI Infinity
EVENT LISTING BNI Infinity.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
05 Apr 2024

Business Networking in Blackburn - BNI Infinity

Hampton by Hilton, 2 Frontier Ave, Blackburn, BB1 3AL

06:30 - 08:30

Advertise with us

Reaching 50,000 members, our print, digital and event platforms offer a fantastic way to raise your business profile and help you grow.

Find out more Lbv115 Online Graphic
Subscribe now

Weekly news bulletin