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The Symptoms Of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

by Frank Barnett

Several injuries can be caused by motions that are performed over and over again, especially carpal tunnel syndrome. Carpal tunnel has several symptoms to watch for especially if you suffer repetitive stress injury.

Those who use a computer regularly, work at assembly or manufacturing jobs, or even participate in an athletic event or perform with a musical instrument, may experience stress injuries deemed repetitive in nature. Carpal tunnel syndrome is among the more widespread kinds of RSI's. In this article, you'll discover the variety of symptoms typically related to the condition of carpal tunnel.

Early symptoms are usually noted as a tingling of the hand. Often people describe this as similar to the sensation when your foot "falls asleep" and you have a prickly feeling when you change position. The tingling is often in the wrist, and if present in the hand is most frequently on the fingers. Some people may also have a tingling sensation in the lower arm on the side closest to the body. Among the fingers, the thumb, index, and middle finger are most frequently affected and only rarely does the tingling spread beyond the fingers to the palm of the hand. This is due to the nerves coming from these areas passing closest to the inflamed "tunnel" and having signals disrupted by the compression the tunnel wall creates.

The risk of finger, hand, or wrist injury is higher in contact sports, such as wrestling, football, or soccer, and in high-speed sports, such as biking, in-line skating, skiing, snowboarding, and skateboarding. Sports that require weight-bearing on the hands and arms, such as gymnastics, can increase the risk for injury. Sports that use hand equipment such as ski poles, hockey or lacrosse sticks, or rackets also increase the risk of injury.In children, most finger, hand, or wrist injuries occur during sports or play or from accidental falls. Any injury occurring at the end of a long bone near a joint may injure the growth plate and needs to be evaluated.Older adults are at higher risk for injuries and fractures because they lose muscle mass and bone strength as they age. They also have more problems with vision and balance, which increases their risk of accidental injury.

Carpal tunnel syndrome is a very complex condition which may cause many symptoms. The ones mentioned thus far are some of the most common symptoms that might be experienced. But there are some other symptoms like:

1. You will lose the ability to grip as you did before the symptoms began presenting.

2. You may find your hands are numb, like they are falling asleep.

3.You may have pain in the arm from the wrist to the elbow.

4.The fingers and the wrist may start to feel 'stiff'.

5.You may find that you are unable to do simple tasks, like just zipping a purse or turning the key in an ignition.

This guide will give you the signs to watch out for if you think that you may have carpal tunnel syndrome. If your symptoms fit the descriptions, then consider a consultation with a medical professional. They will make the official diagnosis and you can decide where to proceed from there.

Of course, the easiest way to avoid most forms of carpal tunnel syndrome is often to simply upgrade your workstation. If you're tired of the one-size-fits-all equipment that came with your computer, visit Ergonomic Resources today!

Published December 8th, 2008

Filed in Career


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