One of the most common clinical problems I see in my practice, orthopedic carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is. I'm sure you or someone you know has suffered from CTS. In the U.S. alone more than 100,000 people undergo surgery carpal tunnel years. For a common disease, it's amazing that doctors understand so little about what causes carpal tunnel syndrome actually have.
We know that carpal tunnel syndrome with certain medical conditions, such as is associatedDiabetes, thyroid disease and gout. In addition, it is generally believed that the repeated use of the hands and wrists caused CTS. However, no scientific study has ever proven a direct link between a specific work activities, and carpal tunnel syndrome.
The truth is that the causes of CTS are what doctors call multifactorial. That is, several factors, including work and recreational abuse, underlying diseases, genetics, and who knows what else to contribute to allvery common syndrome.
Although playing golf has not been identified as a direct cause of carpal tunnel syndrome, may be the repeated use of the hands and wrists in the golf course seen to contribute to it. But to say that playing a few rounds of golf a month is an important factor in the development of the CTS is probably stretching the point. The same can not be true for the amateur or professional, serious, for the countless hours of practice and could play their toll. For one, Ken Venturifound that was developed as a severe carpal tunnel syndrome in both hands, that his career ended the tour.
Carpal tunnel syndrome occurs as a result of the breach of the median nerve. Since this nerve travels from the forearm to the wrist, passes through a structure called the carpal tunnel. L '(carpal) bones form the floor of the wrist carpal tunnel and a band of thick, forms the roof. Lunches in the tunnel, with the median nerve, most of the flexor tendons in the process ofFingers. If the inflammation and swelling of the tendons increased crowding and pressure on the sciatic median result, CTS is the result. Caused increased pressure on the nerve malfunctions, reducing the symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome.
Patients with carpal tunnel syndrome to describe some classic symptoms. Numbness and tingling of the thumb and the index and middle fingers (and sometimes the whole hand) are the hallmark of CTS. Annoying numbness can occur eitherduring the day (while things like driving with a mobile or hand tools) and night (patients are often awakened from sleep by numbness in hands). Weakness and clumsiness when trying to grab things are also common complaints. It can cause pain.
A course of rest, splinting the wrist (especially at night), and anti-inflammatory drugs are often the first treatments for carpal tunnel syndrome. Identify work-related or leisureActivities that are aggravating the situation may also be useful. Looking for ways to get the job done with less force, less repetition and / or less movement of the wrist can help. For the golfer, simple measures - such as easing the pressure on the handle during the address of the golf swing and to ensure that worn golf grips are replaced regularly - can reduce the load on the wrists / hands and minimize the severity of CTS. Even wearing a glove on each hand to provide extra padding.Finally, simply compromising games played golf or hit as many balls in each week can help a damaged nerve to recover.
The conservation measures described above are most successful for early and mild cases of CTS. Studies show that only respond to about one third of patients treated with these simple measures. In addition, surgery may be the only answer - or, as my former roommate used to say, is the only remedy left hot lights and cold steel!
The conceptBehind CTS surgery is quite simple - the tunnel is "open" the band over the nerve. This is the nerve of additional breath is usually sufficient to recover the injured nerve and to correct the symptoms. In early 1900, surgeons mistakenly believed that CTS has been the pressure on the nerves at the base of the neck and rib resection was the cause of the treatment. Ouch! For those of you who constantly long for the "good old days", I recommendKeep the memories of five cents Hershey bars and let the dawn of medicine.
This can be done either through an incision open or through small incisions with a camera (endoscopic). In both cases, the success rate of CTS surgery is very high. After surgery, patients can return to golf as soon as the incision is healed and wrist strength and mobility have returned to normal.
If you or someone you know is experiencing symptoms of carpalTunnel syndrome, be sure to see an orthopedist. A delay in treatment leads not only to unnecessary suffering, can lead to irreversible nerve damage with permanent numbness and weakness. One side (bad pun intended), prompt treatment can go on the golf course in the shortest possible time.
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