Carpal tunnel syndrome is a pathology that affects the median nerve which is compressed by the other underlying tissues, tendons, ligaments, and bones. This syndrome can cause different symptoms such as tingling, cramps, pain, loss of strength in the hand or arm, and loss of sensitivity in part of the hands and the thumb, index, middle, and ring fingers. Some of the causes of carpal tunnel syndrome are not very clear, it is usually associated with continuous and repetitive work with your hands, or in cases where they are subjected to vibrations or some positions for a long period.
People who have a small carpal tunnel, which may be hereditary, are more prone to suffer from this syndrome. Any activity that causes irritation or compression of the median nerve in the carpal tunnel space can lead to carpal tunnel syndrome. A fracture, inflammation of the outer layer of tendons (tendonitis) due to rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes increases the risk of nerve damage, obesity, and certain conditions such as fluid retention, including pregnancy and menopause.
This syndrome tends to occur more in women than in men, with ages between 25 and 55 years, one of the reasons why it is associated with office work is the frequency secretaries suffer from this syndrome. Currently, this affliction can also be seen in computer game players, and software developers due to a large amount of time they spend on their computers.
Treatment could be varied depending on the severity of the case. In mild cases, it can be treated with rest, stretching, and the use of wrist braces to avoid bad postures or infiltrations. In severe cases, surgical intervention is required to release the tension of the transverse carpal ligament.
Some recommendations when working a long time at the computer are:
- Take breaks every 2 hours for 5 to 10 minutes.
- Perform extension and flexion stretches of the wrists with the arms fully extended.
- Keep your hands warm in cold environments, cold can cause stiffness and pain.
- Using a vertical mouse, this mouse forces us to adopt a more natural posture of our arm, wrist, and hand, which helps to reduce fatigue in long periods of work.
In case of suspicion and/or symptoms, the best option is always to consult a specialist who will evaluate you and give you the best recommendations.
