Did you know that you can sustain an injury from simply sitting and typing on your computer? It’s true. Carpal tunnel syndrome is one of the leading injuries sustained in an office workplace environment.
Carpal tunnel syndrome is a common condition affecting the hand and wrist caused by repetitive stress on the median nerve. The median nerve runs through a narrow passageway in your wrist called the carpal tunnel before innervating your palm and fingers. When this nerve is compressed it can contribute to pain and discomfort in your hand and wrist. Educating yourself on the signs indicating carpal tunnel syndrome is the first step toward seeking treatment.
Here are some of the most common signs and symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome:
- Pain: The first indication of carpal tunnel syndrome is pain in one or both hands and wrists. This is especially true when the pain is concentrated in your thumb, index, middle, and half of your ring finger because the median nerve innervates these digits.
- Numbness: When the median nerve is compressed, it cannot send sensation signals to the brain. This results in numbness or a tingling feeling, particularly in your thumb, index, middle, and half of your ring finger.
- Muscle Weakness: Carpal tunnel syndrome constricts the median nerve, weakening any motor signals from the brain to the palm, thumb, index, middle, and half of your ring finger. This can contribute to muscle weakness, making it difficult to grasp things, write, type, etc.
- Burning Sensation: Many patients have reported a burning sensation in their thumb, index, middle, and half of their ring finger. This burning feeling can either be irregular or persistent.
- Worsening Symptoms at Night: In most cases of carpal tunnel syndrome, patients report more pain, numbness, muscle weakness, and burning at night.
- Radiating Symptoms: In more severe cases of carpal tunnel syndrome, pain, andnumbness can radiate up the patient's arm.
If you are experiencing some or most of these symptoms, you may be struggling with carpal tunnel syndrome. Reach out to Dr. DiPaolo for a consultation to get relief as soon as possible!
Dr. Daneca DiPaolo is a highly skilled, board-certified orthopedic surgeon located in Grenada, Mississippi. She offers the latest orthopedic techniques and provides quality, compassionate, state-of-the-art orthopedic care.
