Compared to other health concerns like heart diseases, stress, and the like, illnesses of the hands and wrists may only be a minor worry. So it might come as a surprise for many to find out that the carpal tunnel syndrome, a disease of the hands and wrists, is the most common work-related injury in the United States.
According to statistics, about 260,000 Americans undergo surgery every year because of this particular hand injury. This also translates to a total of about $1 billion in surgery costs annually! Furthermore, carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is the most common reason why workers have to take a health-related leave of absence from work. In fact, it is reported that CTS cases comprise about half the total of work-related illnesses every year.
It is estimated that American companies spend about $20 billion to compensate their workers who have developed CTS. Plus, it costs companies even more as employees need about a month’s leave in order for them to undergo surgery and recover.
Carpal tunnel syndrome is a serious hand and wrist disease. In some severe cases, it may even keep a person from performing his/her daily tasks.
What is CTS?
To understand what CTS is, it may be helpful to first explain what the carpal tunnel is. The carpal tunnel is a cavity found in the wrist, on the side leading to the palm of the hand. It serves as a narrow passageway for several muscles that connect the hand to the rest of the arm, as well as a passageway for the median nerve. The median nerve is very important as it is responsible for all the sensations felt by the hand.
When the carpal tunnel is compressed, the muscles and nerves passing through it are constricted. When this happens, the person starts to feel the symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome.
The first symptoms of CTS include a tingling and / or burning sensations in the palm and fingers. The person may also experience numbness. As the syndrome progresses, the person may lose grip strength. In severe cases of CTS, pain spreads from the wrist to the rest of the arm, and the shoulders. The reason for this is that the median nerve stems from spinal chord, extends down the shoulders and arms, and then passes through the wrists. Therefore, the nerve’s constriction in the carpal tunnel will ultimately affect the arms and shoulders.
Cause and Cure
The compression of the carpal tunnel may result from the obstruction of tumors, or the swelling of tissue. Carpal tunnel syndrome may be an offset of conditions like obesity, hypothroidism, arthritis, and diabetes. It may also result from accidents, or sprains that have developed from overuse of the wrists.
Immediate treatments for CTS include resting the hand for two weeks, avoiding any work that may further strain the wrist. Stretching exercises are also recommended. In some cases, drugs may be prescribed to reduce any swelling that may have caused the compression of the carpal tunnel. In more severe cases, hand surgery may be necessary.