About Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS)
CTS affects 3-6% of adults with a higher propensity in women 45 to 60 years old that have a history of repetitive work. True CTS is compression of the median nerve within the carpal tunnel at the wrist, causing hand/wrist pain, while pseudo-carpal tunnel syndrome (PCTS) mimics CTS symptoms but arises from elbow, shoulder or crainialcervical instability causing C7 radiculopathy, without true median nerve entrapment.
Symptoms
CTS: Numbness/tingling in thumb/index/middle fingers (median distribution), worse at night; hand weakness, thenar atrophy, positive Phalen/Tinel tests, confirmed by Electrodiagnostic Studies. PCTS: Intermittent “numbness,” normal thumb strength/no atrophy, negative Electrodiagnostic Studies/Phalen/Tinel, pain from elbow referral
Known Causes
- Primary: CTS: Repetitive wrist strain Repetitive wrist strain (typing, vibration tools), wrist trauma/fracture, flexor tenosynovitis, anatomical narrowing.
- Secondary: CTS: Pregnancy fluid retention, rheumatoid arthritis, hypothyroidism, diabetes, along with along with nutrient deficiencies, systemic toxicities or infections. PCTS: Elbow annular ligament injury, cranialcervical instability with radiculopathy, shoulder instability causing referred pain, along with nutrient deficiencies, systemic toxicities or infections.
Schedule a $69 New Patient Appointment at McPherson Chiropractic Center
Schedule a $69 New Patient Appointment at McPherson Chiropractic Center
