One of the unfortunate results coming from the overall positive boost in youth sports is an increase in sports injuries. Based on research conducted by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), high school athletes have suffered from upwards of 2 million injuries, made about a half a million visits to the doctor, and experienced nearly 30,000 stays in the hospital. One of the most common injuries youth will experience is carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS).
Most people with CTS report pain and pins and needles or tingling, weakness and numbness in the hands. Carpal tunnel syndrome is the irritation of the synovial membranes around the tendons in the carpal tunnel. This inflammation results in in pressure on the median nerve. The median nerve travels from the forearm into the hand through a 'tunnel' in your wrist. Understanding Carpal Tunnel makes is more avoidable and treatable.
People suffering with CTS complain there is numbness in their fingers. This numbness usually affects the thumb, the index finger, and the ring finger. The numbness arise usually at night. Pain can be so intense that it wakes a person up from sleep. There might also be a burning sensation felt in the fingers. Some people complain they have a weakened grip and they cannot hold items as they did in the past
It would be best not to dismiss the presence of the symptoms of CTS which can mimic those of Paresthesia. Such a condition is known to affect the thoracic outlet in the arm. As previously mentioned, the median nerve travels through this area of the forearm and it eventually reaches the carpal tunnel where it can trapped and cause the symptoms which were mentioned.
CTS might even be attributed to anything that might cause irritation of the synovial membranes found in the tendons of the hands which can cause pressure on the median curve. Among the most common troubling actions which can cause irritation such as grasping, bending the wrist too often, and diabetes and arthritis. Using the hand too much can lead to CTS. You will see this quite often in the world of sports. Other factors along the lines of obesity, trauma, and tumors can cause these problems.
Left untreated CTS can permanently damage the median nerve. When the nerve is damaged, continual numbness and weakness, as well as the other symptoms of CTS will result. Also, the muscles in the hands and fingers will atrophy. Ideally treatment will reduce the associated symptoms and correct the problem.
Those that have treatment undertaken to correct the problem will learn that they may be able to fix what is wrong with the nerves. Among the most common treatments for the problem will be RICE (rest, ice and compression along with elevation). The wrist will commonly be immobilized with a brace to facilitate this result. Anti-inflammatories might be prescribed to help cut down on pain and inflammation and this might help with reducing the potential for enhanced damage to the median nerve.
If CTS can't be controlled or relieved a doctor is likely to recommend Corticosteroid injections and then surgery. Surgery is he only treatment that offers and provides permanent relief. The nerve is released in a procedure called Carpal Tunnel Release.
Carpal tunnel syndrome in young athletes is on the rise; it is treatable but is best prevented.
You can avoid CTS through using proper technique and not putting your arms and hands through too much use at all times. Now, if you start to show the common symptoms of CTS, you need to get advice from a doctor as to what the next steps you should take. Avoid waiting to see if the problem will fix itself. You should get professional advice immediately to avoid the issue of surgery having to be considered.
Most people with CTS report pain and pins and needles or tingling, weakness and numbness in the hands. Carpal tunnel syndrome is the irritation of the synovial membranes around the tendons in the carpal tunnel. This inflammation results in in pressure on the median nerve. The median nerve travels from the forearm into the hand through a 'tunnel' in your wrist. Understanding Carpal Tunnel makes is more avoidable and treatable.
People suffering with CTS complain there is numbness in their fingers. This numbness usually affects the thumb, the index finger, and the ring finger. The numbness arise usually at night. Pain can be so intense that it wakes a person up from sleep. There might also be a burning sensation felt in the fingers. Some people complain they have a weakened grip and they cannot hold items as they did in the past
It would be best not to dismiss the presence of the symptoms of CTS which can mimic those of Paresthesia. Such a condition is known to affect the thoracic outlet in the arm. As previously mentioned, the median nerve travels through this area of the forearm and it eventually reaches the carpal tunnel where it can trapped and cause the symptoms which were mentioned.
CTS might even be attributed to anything that might cause irritation of the synovial membranes found in the tendons of the hands which can cause pressure on the median curve. Among the most common troubling actions which can cause irritation such as grasping, bending the wrist too often, and diabetes and arthritis. Using the hand too much can lead to CTS. You will see this quite often in the world of sports. Other factors along the lines of obesity, trauma, and tumors can cause these problems.
Left untreated CTS can permanently damage the median nerve. When the nerve is damaged, continual numbness and weakness, as well as the other symptoms of CTS will result. Also, the muscles in the hands and fingers will atrophy. Ideally treatment will reduce the associated symptoms and correct the problem.
Those that have treatment undertaken to correct the problem will learn that they may be able to fix what is wrong with the nerves. Among the most common treatments for the problem will be RICE (rest, ice and compression along with elevation). The wrist will commonly be immobilized with a brace to facilitate this result. Anti-inflammatories might be prescribed to help cut down on pain and inflammation and this might help with reducing the potential for enhanced damage to the median nerve.
If CTS can't be controlled or relieved a doctor is likely to recommend Corticosteroid injections and then surgery. Surgery is he only treatment that offers and provides permanent relief. The nerve is released in a procedure called Carpal Tunnel Release.
Carpal tunnel syndrome in young athletes is on the rise; it is treatable but is best prevented.
You can avoid CTS through using proper technique and not putting your arms and hands through too much use at all times. Now, if you start to show the common symptoms of CTS, you need to get advice from a doctor as to what the next steps you should take. Avoid waiting to see if the problem will fix itself. You should get professional advice immediately to avoid the issue of surgery having to be considered.
About the Author:
If you need more information, visit the SportsMED (Orthopedic surgery and spine center) site at www.sportsmedalabama.com. The author didn't consult with SportsMED on the validity or accuracy of this article.
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