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Greetings and welcome to another physiotherapy session full of excitements. This right here is my participation in the physiotherapy class for this week on Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) and I can only holp you enjoy your moments with me.
What's carpal tunnel syndrome? Write in your own words after getting knowledge from the lesson post. |
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Carpal tunnel syndrome as we were taught from the lesson is a condition that affects our hand and wrist, and it occurs when the median nerve, which runs from the forearm into the palm of our hands becomes compressed or squeezed at the wrist.
The carpal tunnel is a narrow passageway on the palm side of our wrist, surrounded by bones and ligaments, so when there is swelling or inflammation in this area, it can put pressure on the median nerve, resulting in symptoms such as:
Numbness and Tingling:
We may experience a tingling sensation or numbness in our thumb, index finger, middle finger, and part of the ring finger.
Pain:
One might feel pain in the wrist or hand, which can sometimes extend to the forearm.
Weakness:
Some individuals may notice weakness in their grip or difficulty with some tasks, such as buttoning a shirt or holding small objects.
Carpal tunnel syndrome is said to be caused by a variety of factors, including repetitive hand movements (like typing or using a mouse for a long time), wrist injuries, pregnancy, certain medical conditions (like diabetes or rheumatoid arthritis), and anatomical factors (like having a smaller carpal tunnel).
Treatment options for this syndrome varies based on the severity of the condition and may include wrist splints, anti-inflammatory medications, physical therapy, or in more severe cases, surgery to relieve pressure on the median nerve.
How would you diagnose carpal tunnel syndrome? Any clinical investigation or assessment tests? |
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If I find myself in a position to diagnose carpal tunnel syndrome, like every other diagnosis, I will start by asking about the symptoms the person is experiencing, like numbness or tingling in the fingers. Then, I would also perform a physical exam to check the hand strength and sensation. Sometimes, this could require carrying out even a nerve conduction study or an electromyogram to see how well the nerves are working. This way, I will be in a better position to figure out if carpal tunnel syndrome is the likely culprit.
But then, to be in a more accurate position, there are a few clinical investigations and assessment tests that I can use to check for carpal tunnel syndrome. Such as;
Tinel's Sign Test:
For this, lightly tap over the median nerve at the wrist and if there is a tingling or a shock-like sensation in the fingers then it may suggest carpal tunnel syndrome.
Phalen's Maneuver:
This requires placing the wrists in a flexed position (like pushing your palms together) for about a minute. Then, if it causes numbness or tingling in on the fingers, it could indicate that positive for the syndrome.
Nerve Conduction Study:
This test measures how fast electrical signals move through the median nerve so if the signals are slow or blocked it can confirm carpal tunnel syndrome.
Electromyogram (EMG):
This test checks the electrical activity of our muscles, therefore it can help us determine if the median nerve is working properly or if there is damage to it.
Try to practice at least 3 exercises that you have learned from the lesson. Share images, gifs or videos while practicing preferably gifs or videos. |
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For this session, I will be performing The Arm Prayer Stretch, Stretches for CTS, and Median Nerve Glides exercises.
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The above GIF clearly shows me carrying out the Arm Prayer Stretch exercise to relieve my palms of any pain as I maintained a good pressure on it.
For these stretches, the video showed three different poses and I wasn't sure if I'm to do only one, but since I wasn't so sure, I did it all as shown in the video from the class. But then, why not do all when it's for my own good 😊. Below is the GIFs showing me take on these stretches.
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The last exercise I took on was the Median Nerve Glides, as I placed my palm on the wall with fingers facing downwards and twirled my head left and right as shown below.
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This exercise did not only help me stretch my palm, but also the median nerve running from my hand to the palm.
Share your review after performing these exercises either on yourself, healthy individual or patient |
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After performing the Arm Prayer Stretch, Stretches for CTS, and Median Nerve Glides, I felt a noticeable difference in my wrists and hands. The Arm Prayer Stretch gave me a gentle pull that felt really good, almost like a release of built-up tension. As I moved through the stretches for carpal tunnel syndrome, I felt my fingers and wrists loosen up, which was such a relief for me as I've been experiencing tightness.
The Median Nerve Glides also helped improve my range of motion, making my fingers feel a bit more agile and I noticed there was no tingling or numbness, which is a great sign that the stretches are worked. Overall, I felt refreshed and energized with a sense of comfort and relaxation in my hands.
I want to take this opportunity to invite @bossj23, @ruthjoe and @bonaventure24.
Thank You for your Time
NOTE: Always have a smile on your face, as you are never fully dressed without one.
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