How to treat carpal tunnel syndrome. Carpal tunnel syndrome: symptoms, treatment. Carpal tunnel - what is it

During his life, almost every person is faced with certain pathologies. Someone suffers from allergies, the other complains of more serious chronic diseases.

Tunnel syndrome is one of the rather unpleasant ailments that fall into the category of nephropathy. This disease is characterized by prolonged pain and severe numbness of the fingers. Consider more features of this disease, methods of its treatment, symptoms and preventive actions.

Reasons for the appearance

It should be said right away that today there is no clearly formulated list, which includes the main reasons for the development of this pathology. However, there are several factors that can cause compression of the nerves in the carpal tunnels. For example, stretching or swelling caused by injuries can lead to such an ailment.

Besides, tunnel syndrome may appear in those people who perform the same physical manipulations daily. For example, those who constantly work in the office, on the computer or for builders. A similar affliction can also be caused by a special state of the body in the event of a failure in metabolic processes or with deformation changes in the tissues of the canals or tendons.

Often, carpal tunnel syndrome occurs in pregnant women, people with diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis and other pathologies. If tumors have formed on the nerves that penetrate the canal, then this can also lead to a similar ailment.

In addition, some experts point out that due to prolonged smoking, a person's blood supply may be disturbed, which is also the cause of carpal tunnel syndrome. And some suggest that this disease can develop even against the background of obesity. Regardless of the reasons, it is worthwhile to pay attention to the disease in a timely manner and begin treatment.

Tunneling initial stage

First of all, unpleasant symptoms begin to appear only during work, that is, when the hands are maximally loaded. In this case, numbness of the fingers occurs. Also, some patients complain that at night during sleep they experience problems with 3, 2, 1 and half 4 fingers. In this case, not only unpleasant pain sensations are observed, but also tingling, as well as the appearance of goosebumps. Also, many note that their hands are greatly weakened.

Subsequent symptoms

If you do not start at the initial stages timely treatment, then in this case, the lesions pass to the muscles. Their functioning is carried out due to the occurrence of pathology, experts note weakness, atrophy and other movement disorders. And in some situations, the disease can spread to other parts of the arm, such as the forearm, shoulder, and beyond. In this case, the cubital tunnel syndrome will have to be treated.

Diagnostics

To correctly diagnose the disease, specialists conduct several different tests. First of all, they tap on the wrists at a certain point and try to detect tingling or painful shootings.

The doctor also asks the patient to squeeze his wrists and talk in detail about his feelings. If there is tingling or pain, then this may be the first sign of developing carpal tunnel syndrome.

You can also check for the presence of the disease by raising your hands. If the pressure in the carpal tunnels increases and the unpleasant symptoms increase, then there is a small chance that the patient really suffers from this syndrome.

Differential Diagnosis

Very often, this pathology appears against the background of other diseases. At risk are those people who suffer from diabetic polyneuropathy, arthritis and cervical sciatica. Also in medical practice there is such a thing as alcoholic epilepsy. This pathology can also cause the development of subsequent carpal tunnel syndrome.

Treatment Options

After consultation, the doctor may prescribe to the patient independent course therapy. However, only those whose illness is still on early stage. In this case, as a rule, special warming ointments are used in the treatment, in some situations - bandages for the wrists. Thanks to these things, it becomes possible to facilitate pain especially when the person is at rest.

The doctor may also prescribe drug treatment using the simplest anti-inflammatory drugs that have positive influence on the body, relieve pain and eliminate discomfort. In some situations, steroid injections are prescribed, but they are used only as a temporary solution, with an exacerbation of the disease.

It will also be helpful to talk to a physical therapist. This doctor will help you choose the right course of exercises, advise on how to properly sit or position yourself at the workplace during the day.

If the patient has more pronounced severe symptoms tunnel syndrome, treatment may require surgery. This cardinal method of therapy is prescribed only in the situation when the patient is practically unable to move the hand. Operation in progress open type, during which a small incision is made on the transverse ligament of the wrist.

It is also worth noting that there are a number of practical procedures that can alleviate the patient's condition. For example, experts advise applying cold to a sore spot. With the initial degree of development of carpal tunnel syndrome, a decrease in daily stress helps. In some situations, other treatment may be prescribed using a variety of medications. It all depends on the specific situation, the age of the patient and individual features his body.

Alternative treatments for carpal tunnel syndrome

As a rule, this disease develops for quite a long time, so patients have time to seek help even before the disease has passed into the chronic stage. In this case, some specialists private practice offer to perform simple hand exercises, massages and mobilization techniques. However, other doctors agree that these methods are not as effective as drug treatment.

Medications

Thanks to specialized means can significantly reduce pain and get rid of swelling. Under the influence of drugs, the compressed channel takes on the usual dimensions, due to which it is eliminated negative symptoms. In this case we are talking about drugs that stop inflammation. Accordingly, in this case, the doctor prescribes non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

Additionally, ointments and gels can be used. local action, which will allow you to quickly reduce swelling and anesthetize the most problematic areas. Speaking of the most best means, then, as a rule, experts recommend "Nise", "Diclofenac", "Indomethacin" or "Movalis". Also, a positive effect is observed after the use of "Ibuprofen", "Naprofen" and acetylsalicylic acid.

However, before treating carpal tunnel syndrome, you need to without fail consult a doctor. All these medications have certain contraindications. You should also be careful when using anti-inflammatory drugs. Often they negatively affect the work of the intestines and other internal organs. Also in this situation, hormonal agents, which allow you to get rid of the pain syndrome. It is also not recommended to use them without a doctor's prescription. If the patient accidentally starts taking the wrong hormones, then in this case he risks provoking a malfunction in the body. It is fraught with failure hormonal background and other ensuing and not the most pleasant consequences.

If carpal tunnel syndrome has not reached chronic stage, then in this case you can use folk remedies. There are a few healthy recipes to help get rid of unpleasant illness. However, before embarking on self-treatment, it is worth asking the doctor's opinion about the selected herbs or recipes.

To date, the most effective and harmless are several options. home treatment.

Contrast baths

In this case, it is recommended to prepare a special composition of chamomile decoction or infusion of sage. All these components have a positive and soothing effect on the condition of the hands. Besides, natural substances reduce puffiness and soothe inflamed areas.

For cooking therapeutic bath it is necessary to pour one tablespoon of the dry mixture with a liter of boiling water and insist for an hour. After that, you need to strain the liquid and dip your hands into it. The duration of the procedure should be no more than 15 minutes.

You can also prepare a bath with sea ​​salt. To do this, the component must be mixed with two liters warm water. In this case, 2 tablespoons of salt is enough.

Compress with horseradish leaves

In order to reduce soreness, it is necessary to wash the prepared foliage. After that, horseradish sheets are put into boiling water for 60 seconds (no more). At the next stage, it is enough to shake the liquid from the foliage and wrap the affected areas of the hands with it. Horseradish must be left in this position for 45 minutes. After completing the procedure, it is advisable to use nutritious cream. This is due to the fact that horseradish dries the skin quite strongly.

diuretic tea

The disease is caused by excessive pressure, so it is necessary to remove this symptom. teas and herbal decoctions that contribute rapid withdrawal excess fluid from the body, perfectly cope with this task. Dill, lingonberries and parsley are best suited. Also, similar properties are corn silk and wild strawberry.

Prevention

It is worth noting that today most of the people use a computer. Based on this, the most convenient preventive methods will be those that are aimed at the correct location of the person himself and the organization of the workplace, where he spends the most time. Thanks to the correct arrangement of things, the appearance of carpal tunnel syndrome can be prevented.

It is necessary to properly adjust the height of the chair and desktop. These parameters depend on the height and weight of the person. It is also advisable to purchase a chair for work, which will be equipped with armrests. Additionally, you can install a homemade or ready-made wrist rest.

In addition, within an hour it is necessary to give your hands a rest for a few minutes. It is also worth doing some gymnastic exercises, they can be done directly while sitting at the computer. Experts recommend the following:

• With force, clench your hands into fists and with the same force unclench your palms as quickly as possible.
• Rotate each finger in turn clockwise, and then against its movement.
• Forcefully clench your hands into fists and produce circular motions with the help of the wrists.
• Strongly squeeze the palms of the hands in the chest area and slowly spread them apart.

Finally

It is necessary to take care of your health and in the event of such unpleasant symptoms contact a specialist as soon as possible. Any problems with limb movement can develop into more serious ones. chronic pathologies.

It is better to prevent this and start treatment in the early stages. Also, do not assume that carpal tunnel syndrome can develop exclusively in older people. Today, this disease is also found with an enviable frequency in representatives of the younger generation. Therefore, it is better not to bring the situation to a critical point and timely seek help from experienced professionals.

There are people who, by occupation, are at risk of a disease called "carpal tunnel syndrome." Programmers, system administrators, machinists, drivers, hairdressers, as well as those who are engaged in knitting and embroidery, playing the cello, violin or piano, often complain of pain in the wrist of the “working” hand. However, anyone can get sick, regardless of their occupation. Women are more likely to get sick, as their wrists are thinner.

Carpal tunnel syndrome (carpalis - Latin for carpal tunnel) is a set of symptoms that are caused by compression of the median nerve in the carpal tunnel. After monotonous work with a brush, a person feels numbness, weakness of the hand, pain in it.

The reasons

In order for the wrist to be sufficiently mobile and at the same time stable, its bones are connected by many strong ligaments. Inside the wrist there is a fibrous rim through which the tendons and nerves of the hand pass - the carpal tunnel.

A large number of the same type of movements (including when working with a computer mouse) or awkward position hand, which causes the wrist to be constantly in tension, can cause swelling of the tendons and ligaments that form this narrow tunnel, and hence pinched nerves. This is the root cause of the syndrome.

However, factors such as:

• Heredity.
• Age after 50 years.
• Fractures, injuries, bone outgrowths, cysts, tumors in the wrist area.
• Obesity.
• Infections.
• Hormonal changes in pregnant or menopausal women leading to a delay excess fluid in synovial membranes inner layer joints).
• Smoking and alcohol, which cause a decrease in blood flow to the median nerve.

Clinical manifestations of the disease can occur not only when a person works with a brush, but even in a dream. Helps reduce symptoms by changing the position of the hand or shaking the hand.

Initially, they can come and go, but over time they inevitably turn into constant companions of the disease. It can get to the point that it becomes difficult to perform any movement associated with finger work: buttoning a shirt or tying shoelaces.

What does a person feel?

• Tingling (including at night).
• Numbness and swelling of the fingers.
• Weakness in the muscles of the hand.
• Pain in the fingers or in the entire hand (often resembling a backache or a sharp electric shock).

A neurologist examines such a patient. He can determine:

With the help of effleurage over the area of ​​the carpal tunnel, the patient's reaction in the form of "lumbago" in the fingers (the so-called Tinel's symptom);

With the help of maximum flexion of the wrist in the wrist joint for 1 minute, the patient's reaction in the form of weakness, numbness or tingling (the so-called Phalen test).

The history of the disease is studied, its additional factors(indirect reasons).

As additional methods diagnostics apply:

1. Electroneuromyography (the degree of damage to the muscles of the forearm is established).
2. Nerve conduction velocity (is it normal).
3. Radiography wrist joint(its goal is to exclude other hand diseases).

Treatment

The main methods of treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome are conservative and surgical.

The first is used when the disease is diagnosed in the early stages. The more pronounced the symptoms and the more often they disturb the patient, the more severe the form of the disease and the less chance that conservative treatment will be efficient. In such cases, it is preferable surgical intervention.

Conservative treatment involves:

• Fixation of the wrist joint (an orthosis is put on at night - a special orthopedic apparatus; it fixes the hand in a physiological (natural) position; during the day, while working, you can wear splints).
• Taking medication to reduce pain and reduce inflammation (for example, treatment with Nimesil or Nurofen).
• shift professional conditions if the work is associated with an active load on the hands.
• Steroid injections (such as prednisolone or dexamethasone) that are given into the carpal tunnel to reduce symptoms.

If treatment with conservative methods for six months has not yielded results, then surgical intervention is inevitable.

This operation is usually performed on an outpatient basis. local anesthesia. Surgically the carpal ligament (in other words, the transverse carpal ligament) is dissected.

The recovery period lasts a couple of months and suggests the possibility of minor pain, swelling, stiffness in the hand. In order to exclude such consequences, a rehabilitation program is individually developed for the patient with a whole range of measures for effective recovery brush functions.

The hand will completely return to normal within a year: the more neglected the disease was, the longer it will take.

Eat well during treatment. If you provide the body with all the vital biologically active substances, then recovery will be accelerated, and the period of rehabilitation and restoration of working capacity will be reduced.

First of all, you need to make your workplace convenient. When working with the keyboard, strictly follow the angle of the bend of the arm at the elbow - 90 °. When working with the mouse, keep an eye on the brush - straight and lies on the table away from the edge (the elbow should also be on the surface of the table). Use a special wrist support (the same mouse pad). The chair or work chair must have armrests.

Secondly, during the work, take breaks and do preventive exercises that will improve blood circulation in the muscles of the wrist and help stretch them:

• Shake your hands.
• Clench your fingers into fists (5-10 times).
• Rotate your fists around your axis.
• Press the left hand on the fingers of the right (as if turning the palm and wrist outward) and vice versa.

Finally, improve your diet, stop smoking, play sports, and maintain a normal body weight.

Forecast

As for the prognosis for carpal tunnel syndrome, then timely diagnosis and complex, adequate treatment make it favorable. It is absolutely impossible to start the disease: irreversible damage to the nerve is fraught with loss of working capacity of the hand.

Below is a video - an excerpt from E. Malysheva's program about carpal tunnel syndrome:

Moisov Adonis Alexandrovich

Orthopedic surgeon, doctor the highest category

Moscow, Balaklavsky prospect, 5, Chertanovskaya metro station

Moscow, st. Koktebelskaya 2, bldg. 1, metro station "Dmitry Donskoy Boulevard"

Moscow, st. Berzarina 17 bldg. 2, metro station "October field"

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Education and professional activities

Education:

In 2009 he graduated from the Yaroslavl State Medical Academy with a degree in general medicine.

From 2009 to 2011, he completed clinical residency in traumatology and orthopedics at the clinical hospital ambulance medical care them. N.V. Solovyov in Yaroslavl.

Professional activity:

From 2011 to 2012, he worked as a traumatologist-orthopedist at the emergency hospital No. 2 in Rostov-on-Don.

Currently works in a clinic in Moscow.

Internships:

May 27 - 28, 2011 - Moscow city- III International Conference "Surgery of the Foot and Ankle" .

2012 - training course in foot surgery, Paris (France). Correction of deformities of the forefoot, minimally invasive surgery for plantar fasciitis(heel spur).

February 13-14, 2014 Moscow - II Congress of traumatologists and orthopedists. “Traumatology and orthopedics of the capital. Present and Future".

June 26-27, 2014 - took part in V All-Russian Congress of the Society of Hand Surgeons, Kazan .

November 2014 - Advanced training "Application of arthroscopy in traumatology and orthopedics"

May 14-15, 2015 Moscow city - Scientific and practical conference With international participation. "Modern Traumatology, Orthopedics and Disaster Surgeons".

2015 Moscow - Annual international conference.

May 23-24, 2016 Moscow - All-Russian Congress with international participation. .

Also at this congress he was a speaker on the topic Minimally invasive treatment of plantar fasciitis (heel spurs) .

June 2-3, 2016 G. Nizhny Novgorod - VI All-Russian Congress of the Society of Hand Surgeons .

June 2016 Assigned . Moscow city.

Scientific and practical interests: foot surgery and hand surgery.

carpal tunnel syndrome

Carpal tunnel syndrome (carpal tunnel syndrome) is a complex of symptoms caused by compression of the median nerve in the carpal tunnel. Accompanied by numbness of the fingers and weakness of the hand.

The carpal tunnel is quite narrow. The lower and two side walls form the bones of the wrist. The upper part of the tunnel is covered by a dense carpal ligament (transverse carpal ligament).

The median nerve passes through the carpal tunnel and the flexor tendons of the fingers. The median nerve carries sensory branches to the first three fingers and to half of the fourth, as well as motor branches to short muscles first finger.

Causes of carpal tunnel syndrome

Carpal tunnel syndrome occurs when the tissues surrounding the flexor tendons in the wrist become swollen and put pressure on the median nerve. These tissues are called synovial membranes. Synovial membranes produce a fluid that lubricates the tendons, facilitating their movement in the tendon sheaths.

Many things contribute to the development of carpal tunnel syndrome:

• Heredity is the most common factor in carpal tunnel syndrome.
• Hormonal changes associated with pregnancy or menopause can cause water retention in the synovial membranes.
• Age - the disease is more common in women after 50-55 years.
• Some systemic diseases may be the cause. Such as diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, thyroid dysfunction.

Fragment of the program "Health". Tunnel Syndrome (from Youtube.com)

Other factors that can lead to carpal tunnel syndrome include:

A fragment of the program "Miracle of Technology" (from Youtube.com)

• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Fractures of bones and arthrosis of the joints of the wrist
• Cysts or tumors that grow in the area of ​​the carpal tunnel
• infections

Signs and symptoms of carmal tunnel syndrome:

Symptoms of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome may appear at any time. Finger numbness often occurs during sleep. During the day, symptoms often occur when the patient is holding something in their hand: a phone, or while reading a book, or while driving. Changing hand positions or shaking helps reduce symptoms.

Symptoms initially come and go, but they can become permanent over time. Feelings of awkwardness or weakness can limit fine finger movements such as buttoning a shirt, tying shoelaces, etc. This condition may affect professional activity patient.

During the examination, the doctor may determine:

• Numbness in the palm, in the thumb, forefinger, middle finger and half of the ring finger.
• Tapping over the carpal tunnel area usually results in "shooting" in the fingers (this is called Tinel's sign)
• Maximum wrist flexion for 60 seconds usually results in numbness, tingling, or weakness (called the Phalen test)

Additional diagnostic methods:

• ElectroNeuroMyography (ENMG)
  
• Nerve conduction velocity
• An x-ray of the wrist joint is performed to exclude other diseases (eg, arthrosis, the consequences of injuries)

Treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome

Exist following methods treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome (carpal tunnel syndrome):

1. Conservative treatment

If the disease is diagnosed and treated early, carpal tunnel syndrome can be managed without surgery.

If a conservative methods not effective within 6 months, recommended surgery carpal tunnel syndrome.

2. Surgery

The decision to have surgery is based primarily on the severity of the symptoms.In more severe cases, surgical intervention is carried out immediately, because conservative methods of treating carpal tunnel syndrome are unlikely to help.

Exists traditional method operations - "open", when the skin is dissected directly above the carpal ligament. And there is a minimally invasive technique that is performed through a mini access using a camera and special tools.

• Surgical technique.In most cases, the operation is performed on an outpatient basis.conditions under local anesthesia.

During the operation, the carpal ligament (transverse carpal ligament) is dissected, thereby decompressing the median nerve.

• Recovery.Minor pain, swelling, and stiffness in the hand can be expected after surgery. To reduce possible postoperative consequences, you will be developed individual rehabilitation programs, including whole complex activities for quality recovery brush functions.
  

Minor pain in the palm usually persists for several months after surgery. This is the time the nerve fibers need to recover.

Driving a car, your daily activities can be resolved by the doctor just a few days after the operation. The doctor will also determine when you can return to work.

• Long term results.The symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome in most patients improved immediately after surgery, but full recovery may be gradual.

Full recovery can take from 1 month to a year if the disease has a long history and severe symptoms.

Read also the article about the disease:Dupuytren's contracture.

Do not self-medicate!

Make a diagnosis and prescribe proper treatment only a doctor can. If you have any questions, you can call orask a question on .

Ever since in life modern people computers appeared, some diseases that were previously considered quite rare became widespread.

One of them is carpal tunnel syndrome, which affects those who spend a lot of time in front of the monitor.

We will talk about how to recognize the disease and how to get rid of it below.

Carpal tunnel syndrome, or carpal tunnel syndrome, occurs due to swelling of the tissues inside the hole formed by the bones of the wrist in its lower part and the transverse ligament in its upper part. Tissues compress the median nerve passing through upper part channel, causing unpleasant symptoms.

In addition to working at a computer, the disease can cause any condition that reduces the volume of the carpal tunnel or promotes tissue growth, these include:

• injuries and fractures of the wrist, accompanied by the formation of hematomas;
• inflammatory diseases of the muscles;
• arthritis of the wrist joint;
• neoplasms in the carpal tunnel;
• diabetes mellitus, which leads to the development of pathologies of the peripheral nervous system;
• thyroid dysfunction;
• bad habits and wrong image life;
• pregnancy (pregnant women often have a tendency to edema);
• professional activity that is associated with monotonous flexion and extension movements of the hands: assembling cars, playing musical instruments, sign language translation, etc.

To avoid tunnel syndrome during office work, you should hold the mouse correctly. The wrist should be a straight line and in no case should it “fall through” or bend, otherwise the risk of the disease increases significantly.

Symptoms

The initial signs of the disease are discomfort in those places for the innervation of which the median nerve is responsible (wrist, palm, fingers, especially the thumb and forefinger).

As the disease progresses, weakening, numbness and heaviness in the hand appear, which haunt a person throughout the day and make him wake up in the middle of the night.

carpal tunnel syndrome

Subsequently, awkwardness develops when writing and performing normal movements (tying shoelaces, fastening buttons), and any attempt to lift any object causes severe pain. Unpleasant sensations can spread to the entire arm to the forearm and give to the shoulder.

At first, the symptoms of the disease are insignificant and disappear after shaking and rubbing the hands, but as the disease progresses, they become constant companions of the patient.

Why is carpal tunnel syndrome dangerous?

Many patients do not recognize carpal syndrome and ignore its symptoms or try to treat it on their own.

It is important to note that the lack of treatment leads to irreversible changes in the median nerve, complete loss of sensation and motor functions hands, therefore, with the development of the disease, it is necessary to consult a doctor.

Diagnostics

If there are symptoms of compression of the median nerve, it is necessary to contact a neurologist as soon as possible. Diagnosis begins with the collection of anamnesis and patient complaints, after which the doctor conducts physiological tests: when raising the hands, the symptoms of the disease intensify due to increased pressure in the canal, squeezing and tapping on a certain point on the wrist causes backache or tingling in the fingers.

In addition, for setting accurate diagnosis the following methods are used:

• electrodiagnostics determines the functioning of the nerves in the hand;
• Ultrasound can detect damage to tissues and bones;
• radiography excludes other diseases of the hands.

A characteristic sign of carpal syndrome is numbness of the fingers, except for the little finger. On the late stages disease, the patient cannot connect the thumb with the little finger.

Carpal tunnel syndrome: treatment

Medications

It is mainly aimed at reducing pain and tissue inflammation, for which different drugs and their combinations are used:

1. non-steroidal and steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. To relieve unpleasant painful symptoms in carpal tunnel syndrome, the canal is used such strong drugs like "Ibuprofen", "Diclofenac", etc. Do not forget that they can cause problems with the gastrointestinal tract, so for patients with gastrointestinal and cardiovascular diseases, these drugs are prescribed as injections, or other treatment regimens are offered (for example, Tramadol in combination with Paracetamol) ;
2. anesthetics and hormones. effective method in the fight against pain syndrome in this disease is considered novocaine blockade with simultaneous administration of hydrocortisone;
3. drugs for neuropathic pain. Good result with neuropathic pain, it gives the use of anticonvulsants (Gabapentin, Pregabalin) and antidepressants. It should be noted that similar drugs, unlike anesthetics and anti-inflammatory drugs, do not begin to act immediately, but some time after administration.

In any case, drugs and dosage should be selected by a specialist based on the severity of symptoms and the characteristics of the patient's body.

Folk remedies

It is possible to treat tunnel syndrome with folk remedies in the first stages of the disease, when the pain is not too pronounced - for acute, burning pains, it is best to consult a doctor:

1. ammonia and camphor alcohol. Dilute 10 g in a liter of water camphor alcohol and 50 g of ammonia (10%). Rub the mixture on the affected areas. The tool well relieves burning and numbness of the hands;
2. bearberry. A plant called bearberry has an anti-inflammatory and diuretic effect, thanks to which it relieves swelling well and reduces the manifestations of the disease. Take a tablespoon of bearberry, pour a glass of boiling water, insist for several hours. Drink a tablespoon 2-3 times a day;
3. black pepper. Take 100 g of ordinary black pepper, pour them with a liter of vegetable oil, then hold on low heat for half an hour. Rub warm oil into sore spots twice a day;
4. sea ​​​​buckthorn. Sea buckthorn berries are one of the most common painkillers among the people. They need to be rubbed well, add a little water, warm up a little (temperature 37 degrees) and dip your hands into the mixture for 30 minutes. After the procedure, wipe your hands well and put on warm gloves. The course of treatment is a month, after which a two-week break should be taken;
5. cabbage. cabbage leaves are also considered a decongestant and anti-inflammatory agent, which can also be used for tunnel syndrome. Leaves can be applied to the affected areas as a whole or crushed into gruel and make compresses.

People who have to sit at a computer or strain their wrists while working are advised to introduce regular cherries in any form into their diet ( dried berries, jam, natural juice). Substances contained in berries reduce inflammatory processes in the body, thereby significantly reducing the risk of carpal tunnel syndrome.

Surgical intervention

The intervention is performed under local anesthesia (sometimes with the help of endoscopy), during the operation, the doctor dissects the transverse ligament of the wrist, thus reducing pressure on the median nerve.

The recovery period lasts several months and involves a set of rehabilitation measures to restore the functions of the hand.

Prevention

Main preventive measure to prevent the disease - the appropriate organization of the workplace. When working with a mouse, you need to use a special support and monitor the correct position of the wrist, and the desk chair should have armrests.

Correct and wrong position brushes when working with a computer mouse or trackball

When performing any work related to the tension of the hand, you need to give your hands a rest from time to time, lowering them down and shaking them well. Helps well special gymnastics for hands (rotation with brushes, clenching and unclenching fists) and light massage.

Finally, to prevent the disease, one should refuse bad habits, support normal weight body and timely treat inflammatory diseases.

Useful video

What is carpal tunnel syndrome and how to deal with it, see the video:

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Tunnel syndrome or carpal tunnel syndrome is a disease of a neuralgic nature. Included in the group of tunnel neuropathies. It is manifested by prolonged pain and numbness of the fingers. The most common cause is prolonged compression of the median nerve between the bones and tendons of the wrist.

It is much more common in women than in males. The consequence of the manifestation of pain is a pinched nerve, which, in turn, can be provoked by compaction of the tendons that run very close to the nerve, as well as thickening or swelling of the nerve itself. This occurs as a result of constant stress on the same wrist muscles. Often there are first discomfort during prolonged use of a computer mouse, when the brush is in a suspended state.

In cases where a person is engaged for a long time office work or such actions that carry great pressure on the wrists, the disease can give a complication in the form of cubital tunnel syndrome.

Etiology

In fact, any condition or process that reduces the size of the carpal tunnel or increases the volume of tissue within the canal itself can cause symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome. The most common causes are sprains, dislocations and fractures of the wrist. In addition, the causes may be:

• pregnancy. During this period, too much fluid accumulates in the body, which leads to swelling;
• . A person has problems with nerve fibers in case of progression of this disease;
• a change in the functioning of the thyroid gland, in case of extraction of half or the entire gland. The person begins to gain weight, which increases the pressure on the wrist. Changes in the hormonal background also adversely affect the nerve fibers.

If a person has any of the above problems, then he will experience unpleasant and tingling sensations when:

• prolonged use of force;
• uncomfortable body position;
• incorrect positioning or emphasis on the wrists;
• repetition of the same actions with hands;
• elevated body temperature;
• prolonged vibration (for example, when traveling by car or bus);
• prolonged stay of the wrist on weight (work at the computer).

All of the above factors can be an impetus for progression serious problems. In addition, alcohol consumption, smoking or obesity can worsen the situation.

Also, the causes of occurrence can be processes in the body, such as:

• hormonal disbalance;
• hereditary predisposition;
• age category;
• infections and fractures.

Symptoms

On the early stage progression of carpal tunnel syndrome is manifested by trembling, itching and slight tingling. Some symptoms may appear much later, after the completion of any active action wrist. The late stage of the disease is characterized by significant numbness, pain and heaviness in the hands, sensitivity in the hands decreases, the tingling sensation in the fingers increases, which becomes unpleasant and annoying.

Often, people with carpal tunnel syndrome experience insomnia, which is associated with pain and cramps in the hand. With the most advanced syndrome, muscle atrophy is observed, a person can no longer clench his hand into a fist. His hands and arms cease to "obey" him. People who have experienced the symptoms of the syndrome lose the ability to lift heavy things, use for a long time mobile phone, read a book on weight, spend a long time working on a PC, sit behind the wheel of a car for more than 15 minutes. They also have problems with fine motor skills.

Doctors note that often the manifestation of the symptoms of the syndrome falls during sleep. In any case, on initial stage the symptoms are temporary, changing the position of the hands and shaking them helps to get rid of uncomfortable sensations. Late stages of progression pathological process such measures are not effective and do not eliminate discomfort.

Diagnostics

The patient himself will not be able to diagnose carpal tunnel syndrome, since an ordinary person will not be able to distinguish ordinary short-term numbness from a painful syndrome. Therefore, you should visit a highly qualified specialist.

At the appointment, the doctor will full examination and prescribe appropriate tests (they may be different depending on the reason for the discomfort). During the examination, the doctor has the opportunity to identify:

• numbness of the entire palm or some fingers - thumb, index, middle and partially ring. The little finger remains unaffected, which can become for specialists an important factor in making a diagnosis;
• swinging over the affected area. There is also a sharp manifestation of tingling in the fingertips;
• the maximum degree of bending of the wrist for one minute leads to complete numbness, colic or weakening of the muscles of the hand;

For additional diagnosis physicians can use the conduction of a small amount of current to determine the speed of nerve conduction. They also resort to x-ray examination, which makes it possible to exclude other diseases or inflammatory processes.

Treatment

Carpal tunnel syndrome can be treated in several ways. The choice of one of them directly depends on the stage and symptoms of inflammation. nerve fiber. Treatment may be:

• independent, but based on the recommendations of a doctor. Usually used in the most simple cases(at an early stage). To do this, use warming ointments and a fixing bandage for the wrist. It helps to relieve symptoms when a person sleeps, and also contributes to their complete disappearance. To independent methods treatment can also include a change in working conditions;
• medication. The simplest anti-inflammatory drugs will help in reducing pain and discomfort. Steroid injections do take place, but are only temporary. Some simple wrist exercises will give an additional effect;
• referral to a physiotherapist. The treatment that he can offer for his part consists in optimizing the patient's workplace, advising on the correct position of the body at work in general and the wrist in particular. Give advice on what physical exercises should be performed to relieve symptoms and suggest methods of prevention;
• surgical intervention. Such a cardinal method of treatment is addressed only in case of manifestation of the most advanced symptoms when a person cannot perform almost any movements with his brush. Open surgery is a small incision in the transverse carpal ligament, after which the skin is sutured while the ligaments remain separated. This is an operation simple type after which the patient can go home on the same day. Symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome are minimized immediately after surgery. But full recovery can take from a month to a year, depending on the stage of development of the syndrome.

Prevention

AT modern society great amount people most day at the computer. Therefore, the main preventive method is correct location things in the workplace, where there is a computer and keyboard. It follows from this that the main measure to prevent the onset of the syndrome is to adjust the height of the chair in relation to the table, which, in turn, depends on the height of the person. The chair for work must be with armrests. Positive effect gives a special (and maybe homemade) wrist rest. It is also important to give your joints a breather of at least 1-2 minutes per hour of technique work.

by the most effective method prevention of carpal tunnel syndrome is considered light gymnastics for the hand. Exercises are performed 10 times for each hand:

• strongly clench your hand into a fist and with the same force open your palm as wide as possible;
• rotational movements with each finger clockwise and against it;
• clench your hands into a fist and perform circular movements with your wrist in all directions;
• join the palms, then take all the fingers as far as possible, and then cross them with force;
• put your palms together, pressing tightly, and take each pair of fingers in turn;
• cross your fingers in the castle, both palms are horizontal. Bend your fingers down, thereby raising your wrists up;
• connect the pillow one by one thumb with all the fingers on the hand;
• connect the palms in front of the chest and, without opening them, slowly lower the hands below the level of the waist, and then return to the starting position;
• place your palms as in the paragraph above, and squeeze them with effort.

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