The carpal tunnel is a narrow tunnel located in the wrist. When it becomes compressed, it can lead to compression of the median nerve, causing numbness in the hands.
Imagine the carpal tunnel as a small narrow tunnel located in your wrist, formed by the bones of the lower part and a thick fibrous band called the transverse carpal ligament on top. Inside this tunnel runs the famous median nerve, which primarily controls the sensations and small precise movements of your fingers. It is accompanied by some tendons that move your fingers. The problem is that this small tunnel is seriously lacking in space: as soon as it becomes a little too tight, it’s the median nerve that suffers first. When it gets compressed, it sends strange signals to the hand, such as tingling, feelings of numbness, or unpleasant prickling sensations.
The carpal tunnel is a small tunnel at the wrist where several tendons and the famous median nerve pass through. It is rather narrow, so not much is needed to disrupt its functioning: a little inflammation, some swelling, or even regular pressure on it is enough to compress the nerve. When this nerve is pinched or trapped, its ability to transmit nerve messages is diminished. The result? Tingling, pins and needles, or even a loss of sensation in certain fingers, mainly the thumb, index, middle, and part of the ring finger. Sometimes, this prolonged pressure can significantly weaken the hand muscles and make certain actions like gripping an object or holding a cup difficult.
When the median nerve is compressed in the carpal tunnel, the signals it carries no longer pass through correctly. The median nerve is like a road that transmits sensations from the fingers to the brain. With compression, it's like a traffic jam: sensory information slows down or becomes confused. As a result, you may experience tingling or a kind of prickling in the hand, particularly in the thumb, index finger, middle finger, and part of the ring finger. This feeling of numbness can sometimes wake you up at night or interfere with certain activities. The longer or more severely the nerve is compressed, the worse and more persistent the sensations become. In advanced stages, you may even have difficulty properly grasping an object or experience bothersome loss of sensitivity in the affected fingers.
Certain repeated gestures performed frequently or for prolonged periods put a lot of strain on the wrist and promote median nerve compression. Constantly typing on a keyboard, doing DIY tasks that involve repetitive twisting movements, or frequently using a computer mouse increases the risks. Additionally, sleeping with the wrists bent, such as in a tightly curled fetal position, significantly increases pressure in the carpal tunnel. Having a wrist that is already sensitive or swollen due to an injury, arthritis, or pregnancy further exacerbates these symptoms of numbness. It is worth noting that certain professions, such as cashier or hairdresser, for example, are particularly affected due to the continuous repetition of the same movements.
Sleeping with bent wrists can worsen carpal tunnel symptoms by increasing pressure on the median nerve. Using a nighttime splint that keeps the wrist in a neutral position can significantly alleviate these symptoms.
Pregnancy is a common factor in the onset of carpal tunnel syndrome. Water retention, which is common during pregnancy, can temporarily increase the pressure inside the carpal tunnel.
Some foods with anti-inflammatory properties, such as fatty fish, nuts, or spinach, may help slightly reduce the symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome by limiting the overall inflammation in the body.
The prolonged position of the hands on a computer mouse or keyboard can increase pressure on the carpal tunnel. Remember to take regular breaks and perform hand and wrist stretching exercises!
Gentle stretching exercises for the wrists, fingers, and forearms can be very helpful. For example, stretching and flexing the wrists, raising the arms above the head, and gently squeezing and releasing a foam ball can help prevent the onset of symptoms.
No. Surgery is generally considered when symptoms become severe, resistant to conservative treatments, or when there is a risk of permanent damage to the median nerve. Many cases are effectively treated with non-surgical methods.
Frequent and prolonged use of the computer keyboard involves repetitive wrist movements that tend to increase pressure on the median nerve in the carpal tunnel. This can lead to progressive inflammation, resulting in the pain and numbness experienced.
In some mild and early cases, symptoms may improve without major medical intervention, provided that the repetitive actions causing discomfort are avoided, along with rest or the use of a suitable orthosis. However, many cases require specific management to prevent the worsening of symptoms.
The early signs generally include numbness, tingling, or pain in the fingers, especially the thumb, index finger, middle finger, and sometimes part of the ring finger. These symptoms often occur during the night or upon waking.
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