Why does my hand hurt?
The carpal tunnel is the bony cavity in your wrist through which nerves and tendons extend to the hand. When you repeat the same hand and wrist movements every day, the strain causes tendons to swell and press on the main nerve of the hand. This persistent nerve irritation can result in pain, numbness and dysfunction, not only in the hand and the wrist, but sometimes extending up to the forearm and elbow.
What can I do about it?
You can minimize the risk of developing CTS by modifying the way you use your hands and arms. Here are some ways to prevent the condition:
Try to keep your wrists straight while working. Avoid using your wrists in a twisted position for long periods of time.
When possible, reduce repetitive tasks. Even simple tasks can eventually cause injury when repeated over and over.
Avoid movements that require holding an object the same way for long periods of time.
Slow down and use only enough force to control hand tools. This gives your hand time to recover from each effort.
Watch your grip. Using just the thumb and index finger can put pressure on your wrist. When practical, use your whole hand to grasp an object.
Give your hands a break from time to time. Alternate the easy and hard jobs or switch hands.
Do gentle hand stretches for one minute every hour.
Take action early if you notice symptoms; don’t wait for them to become unbearable. The earlier you have a professional diagnosis, the more successful the treatment.
When diagnosed early, CTS can be treated by stopping the repetitive motion and splinting the wrist. However, more serious cases may require surgery to relieve the pressure on the nerve. You can minimize your risk of getting carpal tunnel syndrome by taking precautions and following the safety tips described above.
For more information on reducing risk or any of our other services, please contact Jeff Harrison at jeff.harrison@cbservices.org or 800.807.0300 ext 2543.