Computer Use Can Lead to Carpal Tunnel
Carpal tunnel syndrome is the occupational disease of the 21st century. Do you have it? You may if you have one or more of the following: tingling and numbness in the hand, fingers, and wrist; swelling of the fingers; dry palms; and pain so intense it awakens you at night, with the possibility of similar symptoms in the upper arm, elbow, shoulder, or neck. Or you may not.
Many people wonder if there's a relationship between the increase in carpal tunnel syndrome and the use of computers. Absolutely. However, having occasional numbness in your hands doesn't mean you actually have carpal tunnel syndrome. Carpal tunnel syndrome is a condition in which the space between the wrist bones (carpal bones) and the tissue around the bones (retinaculum) becomes too narrow. This narrowing can cause an entrapment of the median nerve, which can lead to numbness in the thumb, index finger, and middle finger.
A good exam is necessary because there are many conditions that can mimic carpal tunnel. Another diagnosis would require a different form of treatment. For example, the increase in computer usage has added an additional strain to our shoulder muscles, neck muscles, and forearm muscles. This additional strain can cause the muscles to shorten or contract. When muscle shortening takes place, nerve entrapment can occur. Nerve entrapment in the forearm, shoulder, and neck muscles can produce symptoms similar to carpal tunnel such as hand numbness. If the numbness is due to a muscle entrapment, a much simpler and less invasive treatment than surgery is available.
With proper myofascial release techniques, stretching, and strengthening of the shortened muscle groups, a full recovery is very possible.
Proper diagnosis is the key to a positive outcome. Since numbness is a sign of nerve involvement, we must examine all areas where the nerve can be involved. Areas of possible involvement contributing to hand numbness are the wrist, forearm, shoulder, and neck. Lastly-and often overlooked-a thorough exam of the neck joints must be done because that's where the nerve originates. TPW
Many people wonder if there's a relationship between the increase in carpal tunnel syndrome and the use of computers. Absolutely. However, having occasional numbness in your hands doesn't mean you actually have carpal tunnel syndrome. Carpal tunnel syndrome is a condition in which the space between the wrist bones (carpal bones) and the tissue around the bones (retinaculum) becomes too narrow. This narrowing can cause an entrapment of the median nerve, which can lead to numbness in the thumb, index finger, and middle finger.
A good exam is necessary because there are many conditions that can mimic carpal tunnel. Another diagnosis would require a different form of treatment. For example, the increase in computer usage has added an additional strain to our shoulder muscles, neck muscles, and forearm muscles. This additional strain can cause the muscles to shorten or contract. When muscle shortening takes place, nerve entrapment can occur. Nerve entrapment in the forearm, shoulder, and neck muscles can produce symptoms similar to carpal tunnel such as hand numbness. If the numbness is due to a muscle entrapment, a much simpler and less invasive treatment than surgery is available.
With proper myofascial release techniques, stretching, and strengthening of the shortened muscle groups, a full recovery is very possible.
Proper diagnosis is the key to a positive outcome. Since numbness is a sign of nerve involvement, we must examine all areas where the nerve can be involved. Areas of possible involvement contributing to hand numbness are the wrist, forearm, shoulder, and neck. Lastly-and often overlooked-a thorough exam of the neck joints must be done because that's where the nerve originates. TPW