What is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome? 13 Questions Answered About The Ultimate Pain In The Wrist

In a world where we really need our wrists to hold our phones and stuff, wrist problems are a big no-no. So what do we do when we get the dreaded pain in the wrist, carpal tunnel syndrome? Panic? No. Not yet, anyway. We go through every possible option so you can keep your hands and wrists in optimum swiping condition.

1. What is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?

It’s all about the meridian nerve. The meridian nerve runs from the forearm into the palm of the hand and controls sensations to the thumb and fingers on the palm side (except the little finger for some reason) as well as some of the small muscles in the hand which allow the thumb and fingers to move. The meridian nerve and tendons live in the Carpal Tunnel; a narrow, rigid passageway of ligament and bones at the base of the hand. When the nerve becomes compressed, trapped or squeezed at the wrist (‘entrapment neuropathies’ in medical lingo) due to a thickening from irritated tendons or other swelling, the tunnel narrows and causes the median nerve to be compressed. If this happens, you’ll find it particularly difficult to use your Shake Weights.

You can also try self-acupressure.

9. What is the Carpal Tunnel wrist brace and Carpal Tunnel gloves?

The wrist brace is like a bandage which goes around the wrist and the glove is like the brace, but with finger holes. Both of them are quite stiff, making sure to keep the hand and wrist in place. Some even have hard plastic insertions for extra protection.

10. How is Carpal Tunnel surgery performed?

If you’ve suffered from CTS for over 6 months, you might be begging your doctor to open you up. At this point, he’ll more than likely agree, and there are a couple of Carpal Tunnel Release Surgery options you could go for, which are actually very common, are done on local anaesthesia and you don’t even have to stay the night in hospital. Open release surgery This involves severing the band of tissue around the wrist to reduce pressure on the median nerve. An incision of up to 2 inches is made in the wrist, cutting the carpal ligament to enlarge the carpal tunnel. Endoscopic surgery One (single-portal) or two (double-portal) half-inch incisions are made in the wrist and palm in which a camera attached to a tube is inserted. The surgeons view the inside of your wrist on their screen and proceed to cut the tissue that holds the joints together (the carpal ligament). This option has minimal to no scarring and hardly any post-operative pain.

11. What is the Carpal Tunnel surgery recovery like?

Although symptoms are alleviated almost immediately after surgery, full recovery can take up to a few months. Worst case post-op scenarios include infection, nerve damage, stiffness, weakness and pain, but usually, with some physical therapy and if you heed your doc’s advice, you should be right as rain.

12. I kinda defo need my wrists. Are there any Carpal Tunnel exercises I can do to prevent CTS?

If you feel that you have weak wrists, and could be prone to CTS, the good news is that there are things you can do to prevent it: -

There are also some carpal tunnel yoga exercises you can try.

You could also try stretching and strengthening exercises to prevent CTS, either alone or with a PT, like the ones in this vid by Dr Levi.

13. Where can I get more Carpal Tunnel information?

These organisations are chock-full of CTS info:

Till you feel better, you may want to relax on the Beyonce impresh, yeah?

READ MORE: Best Acupressure Mats for Pain Relief And Other Benefits