CARPEL TUNNEL SYNDROME CTS is a condition where in the compression symptoms arise due to bundle compression of structures that pass within carpel tunnel affecting the the Median Nerve.
WHAT IS CARPEL TUNNEL?
CARPEL TUNNEL is normal anatomical structure in our body found in every normal individual. It is formed by carpel bones forming a groove as its floor on dorsal side of hand and flexor retinaculum forming the flat roof of carpel tunnel on palmar side of hand.
It provides attachment and passage at the wrist level for the structures to pass through arm to hand. Muscles related to flexing movements of finger pass through this tunnel alomg with median nerve
Structures Passing Through Carpel Tunnel
- Flexor Digitalis Superficialis – 4 tendons
- Flexor Digitalis Profundus – 4 tendons
- Flexor Pollicis Longus – 1 tendon
- Median Nerve
- Flexor Carpi Radialis not exactly pass within the carpel tunnel but it traverse through Flexor Retinaculum that is forming the roof of carpel tunnel.
CAUSES OF CARPEL TUNNEL SYNDROME
Anything that exerts pressure to median nerve giving rise to nerve compression symptoms cause carpel tunnel syndrome. In most cases the cause remains obscure and are idiopathic. Any inflamatory process or water retention or metabolites deposition within tissue may cause increase in volume of structures and total content within the carpel tunnel and will cause in pressure of whole bundle which may cause Carpel tunnel due to increased bundle pressure, similarly the adjecent structures to carpel tunnel if inflamed or injured or any overgrowth of it, may exert pressure on carpel tunnel and median nerve within giving rise to carpel tunnel syndrome. Mechanical reasons like wear-tear and injuries are mostly regarded as major factors with ageing and certain genetic, structural and physiological anomalies are known to increase the risk of Carpel Tunnel Syndrome.
Age and Gender
- Age – Ageing plays a major role in development of CTS its more commonly found in age above 40yrs
- Gender – Female sex is more prone to this condition compared to male.
Mechanical
- OCCUPATIONAL – Work related frequent repetitive forceful pressures jerk and vibrations on hand on regular basis where in there is no sufficient time given to repair the wear and tear and the damage tend to accumulate over time.
- POSTURAL HABBITS such that it exerts unusual strain on hand and wrist on regular basis.
- INJURIES to wrist distal part of forearm and wrist. Fractures involving radius ulna carpel and metacarpel bones like Colle’s Fracture, Boxer’s Fracture etc.
Genetic and Systemic
- Prediabetics and Diabetics
- Obesity
- Metabolic Syndrome
- Hypothyroidism
- Arcomegaly
- Amyloidosis
- Rheumatoid Arthritis
- Gout
- Tumours
- Hereditary Neuropathy with Susceptibility to Pressure Palsy – Carcot Marie Tooth Syndrome casused due to mutation in gene HS3TC2
- Narrow Carpel Tunnel
- Certain drugs like Corticosteriods or Oestrogen therapy.
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF CARPEL TUNNEL SYNDROME
- Paraesthesia in Index finger, Middle finger, Thumb and the lateral half of Ring finger
- Myalgias or neuralgia in forearm upwards to arm, less commonly in wrist and hand
- Loss of strength of grip and Loss of Manual Dexterity
- Atrophy of muscles at the base of thumb visible on proximal, thumb-related quadrant of palm (ie proximal lateral quadrant/upper outer quadrant).
HOMEOPATHIC MEDICINES FOR CARPEL TUNNEL SYNDROME CTS
- HYPERICUM
- CIMICIFUGA/ACTEA RACEMOSA
- AGARICUS MUSCARIOUS
- ACTEA SPICATA
- PLANTAGO
- BELLIS PERENIS
- ARNICA MONTANA
- GELSEMIUM SEMPERVIRENS
- TARRENTULA HISPANICA
- GNAPHALLIUM
