Numbness in the fingers at night, pain in the wrist or objects falling out of the hand are considered by many people to be just a result of fatigue or overload. Trauma surgeon Tomáš Jančok from the Agel Žiar nad Hronom hospital points out that Carpal tunnel syndrome is one of the most common hand diseases and, if neglected, can lead to permanent nerve damage or weakening of the hand muscles. As he explained, it is the so-called strait syndrome in the wrist area, in which there is an increase in pressure in the carpal tunnel and subsequent oppression of the hand nerve.
There can be several causes, from excessive and one-sided loading of the hand to post-traumatic or post-operative conditions in the wrist area to repeated inflammation of the tendons or a congenital predisposition to a narrow carpal tunnel.
The disease occurs more often in women, the period of pregnancy is a risk, as well as diabetes or long-term unilateral loading of the hand. Working with a computer or stereotypic wrist movements are also a big risk factor. A typical first symptom is nighttime numbness in the fingers, especially the thumb, index and middle fingers.
There are also pains and stiffness after exercise. In more advanced stages, the pain can be permanent, the patient loses sensitivity, objects fall out of his hand and the hand muscles can also weaken. “In the case of repeated occurrence of these symptoms, the patient should definitely not postpone a visit to the doctor. The sooner the problem is addressed, the greater the chance of preventing permanent nerve damage,” Jančok recommends.
Diagnostics consists of a clinical examination and, in particular, an electromyographic examination, i.e. EMG. This examination can confirm the diagnosis and at the same time determine the degree of nerve damage. According to him, conservative treatment is appropriate in the early stages of the disease.
Patients are helped by fixing the wrist with a splint, reducing the load on the hand, painkillers or B vitamins and over-the-counter creams containing herbal extracts. which can have a short-term anti-inflammatory and analgesic effect.
According to Jančok, it is also important to adjust work habits, take regular breaks during stereotyped loads, warm up and stretch the wrist. Rehabilitation can also have a positive effect. If conservative treatment does not help or the disease is in an advanced stage, surgery is necessary. The procedure is usually performed under local anesthesia, and most patients feel relief from pain and discomfort a few days after the operation. However, in more advanced stages, nerve regeneration can take several weeks.
