Diagnosing carpal tunnel syndrome

Pain in your hand or wrist could be a sign of carpal tunnel syndrome. Orthopedic surgeon Vonda Wright, MD, describes carpal tunnel symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment.

Transcript

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Factory workers, who work with their hands using repetitive motions, are often afflicted with carpal tunnel syndrome.

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Carpal tunnel syndrome involves compression of a nerve, called the median nerve, as it travels through the wrist.

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I'm Dr. Wright. If you're experiencing pain or tingling in your hand or wrist, it may not be from your tennis game last weekend.

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It could be something more serious like carpal tunnel syndrome. This condition occurs more often in women than men,

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but it can really happen to anyone. Factory workers, who work with their hands using repetitive motions, are often

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afflicted with carpal tunnel syndrome. Carpal tunnel syndrome involves compression of a nerve, called the median nerve, as it travels through the wrist.

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Typical symptoms include numbness and tingling in the thumb, index, and middle fingers. More severe forms include weakness

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in certain hand muscles. Your doctor can do certain physical exam tests that may reproduce some of your symptoms,

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or she can also send you to get a nerve conduction test, which can calculate the severity of nerve injury.

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Don't ignore the symptoms of carpal tunnel. Early diagnosis and treatment are important to avoid permanent damage.

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For more ways to fight pain and stay healthy, watch all our smart tips. [AUDIO LOGO]