Carpal tunnel is a debilitating condition that effects more than the common secretary. Musicians, body builders, and typist all are prone to the familiar term.
What are some signs of carpel tunnel?
For most individuals, it starts off as a vague ache in the wrist and/or elbow area. For some it will begin to wake you in the night with intense pain because the wrist is commonly bent while sleeping. It can take minutes and even hours for the pain to subside. After the onset of pain, it can and usually does result in numbness of the fingers and hands. More specially the thumb, index, and middle finger. The median nerve, which is what is blocked or strained when you have carpel tunnel, is what provides sensation to the afore mentioned fingers. During the early stages of the condition, most individuals can shake out the pain or loss of sensation. However, as time progresses, it becomes more and more challenging to do so and at some point is not an option.
Many think the pain is regulated only to the wrist, however someone will feel the pain radiate throughout the entire arm, beginning in the shoulder region. When the wrist is bent, or feels any pressure (such as holding a weight, even if not bending the arm) it will send a tight and painful sensation throughout the entire arm, reaching to the very ends of your fingers.
If not treated promptly and/or correctly, someone might even feel a sense of feebleness in grip. You can be holding the same weight in both arms but one side can feel 10% heavier because it takes that much more strength to maintain the grip. The hands can become clumsy and unable to hold things for long periods of time. In advanced cases, fingers will lose all feeling, making it almost impossible to function, especially in the world of weight lifting.
There are a few initial tests that one can do at home to determine if one might have the onset of carpel tunnel, however, an EMG from your local doctor is the only sure way to determine if it is truly carpal tunnel. The first at home method however is Tinel?s Sign. This is performed by tapping the median never along its course in the wrist. A positive test is found when this causes worsening of the tingling in the fingers when the never is tapped. The second is Phalen?s Sign. This test is done by pushing the back of your hands together for one minute. This compresses the carpal tunnel and is also positive when it causes the same symptoms you have been experiencing with your carpal tunnel syndrome (carpal tunnel symptoms:about.com/orthopedics)
If you have experienced any or all of the above symptoms, it is best you see your local doctor for an EMG. He/she will use an electric impulse to determine if there is nerve abnormalities. It can be painful, but will give you and your doctor a better foundation to prescribe necessary measures to provide relief.
What are some good exercises for carpal tunnel syndrome?
Most doctors will suggest you limit your activity in the wrist area. Making sure to use wrist lifts while on the computer and reducing the weight when you are working out significantly. Even if you are not bending directly on the wrist, the pressure on your fingers and hands to hold the weight in a static position can still cause pain and worsen of the condition. You will have to try and modify most upper body exercises as many require you bend the wrist. Pushups can be done on the knuckles. Tricep extensions and bicep curls will need total control of the wrist area, as not to bend in either direction but keep everything in line. This requires meticulous form, which one should try to do anyways.
Dr. Housang Seradge at the University of Oklahoma Orthopaedic & Reconstructive Research Foundation (
http://ortho-ok.com/orrf/ORRF_CARPAL...PREVENTION.htm) developed the following exercises for those who have been diagnosed with carpel tunnel. Studies there indicate that two out of three patients with mild to moderate carpal tunnel symptoms were able to avoid surgery by using these exercises - twice the success rate of other nonsurgical treatments. These exercises are more successful in patients with mild symptoms, and are not recommended for patients with severe symptoms. Patients who have persistent symptoms despite these exercises should discuss surgical treatment with their physician.
(This forum does not let me actually post the pictures, but you can see the exercises on this link)
http://orthopedics.about.com/gi/dyna...ctexercise.htm
(Source: Housang Seradge, MD, et.al., poster exhibit, 1996 Annual Meeting, American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.)
What are other treatment options?
Most doctors will recommend braces/splints first. They will usually have a slightly flexible plate in the wrist area to keep the wrist straight but still give you the latitude to complete daily tasks. He/she will also encourage you to avoid lifting heavy and maybe at all, until the pressure self-corrects. If that does not provide any relief or open the tunnel up, the next step is a shot of cortisone to provide temporary relief to provide more time for self-correction.
When the conditional is rather developed and self-correction is not an option, most will opt for a non-evasive surgery. The doctor cuts the ligament pressing on the nerve. As technology has advanced, most doctors can do this using an endoscope, which is a telescope-like device with a tiny camera attached to it that allows the doctor to see inside the tunnel and perform the surgery. (
www.mayoclinc.com). Most note significant improvement after the surgery but there is still the chance of lasting numbness, pain or weakness.
Carpal tunnel is a serious condition that many in the fitness industry have to be careful of. Whether you are lifting weights all day for yourself or because you are training clients, you have to be careful that you do not over-extend the wrist and/or put too much pressure on it. If you have any of the symptoms mentioned above it is best you see a doctor as soon as possible. You can possibly avoid surgery and a recovery time of 2-6 weeks?.which is an eternity to someone who works out.
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