Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) is a common injury’s and can affect up to 4% of the population over a lifetime. Although it sometimes gets bunched in with repetitive strain injuries (RSIs), it is itself a specific condition, with its own management and treatment guidance.

The carpal tunnel is an area of space between the foundation of the wrist (distal radioulnar joint) and a protective tissue called the flexor retinaculum. This retinaculum wraps over various tendon, nerves, arteries, and veins that supply the hand. CTS occurs when this space gets compressed, leading to symptoms in the hands. These symptoms can include: swelling, pins and needles, numbness, muscle power loss, and pain.

Some risk factors for CTS include:

• Female gender

• Over the age of 40

• Previous wrist injury

• Diabetes

• Pregnancy

• Overload of the wrist from exercise or from work

How do I know if I have CTS?

Your physiotherapist will go through your subjective history. Through some specific questioning we can determine if your diagnosis is CTS, and differentiate it form other issues such as a cervical radiculopathy, Thoracic Outlet Syndrome (TOS), wrist arthritis, or median nerve issues in the upper arm. Imaging isn’t always necessary, but some people will have X-rays, MRIs, or other test results to rule out issues in the neck or upper arm.

What can I do to help my CTS?

If you believe that you have CTS symptoms, then there are some things you can do at home to help ease symptoms. These include:

• Incorporating regular breaks at your work station

• Avoiding long periods of aggravating activities which will flare up the symptoms for the rest of the day

• Try night splinting. The use of splinting for no longer than 12 hours a day initially can help ease CTS symptoms. Advice is to wear it while sleeping and for a few hours prior to bed and post-waking up.

• Wrist stretches can help ease some symptoms. If you Google ‘Phalen’s Stretch’ and ‘Reverse Phalen’s Stretch’, these may give you some relief during the day.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome can be difficult to manage, and make other activities and exercise challenging. However, there are many ways that we can work around this injury and get you back doing all of the things you love.

If you are currently experiencing carpal tunnel or any other wrist pain and you’re worried about some of your symptoms, click here to book an assessment with one of our physios.