In this article:
What Is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) is a set of symptoms that occur when the median nerve in your wrist becomes constricted. The median nerve controls the movements of your thumb and provides sensation to your thumb, index, and middle fingers, as well as a portion of your ring finger.The carpal tunnel is a small space in the wrist through which the median nerve and tendons pass from the forearm to your hand. Carpal tunnel syndrome occurs when something applies pressure or compression to the median nerve as it passes through the carpal tunnel.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Symptoms
The most prevalent symptoms of carpal tunnel during pregnancy are:- Hand numbness during pregnancy that involves a tingling or burning feeling in the wrist or fingers
- Loss of wrist and hand strength
- Difficulty forming fists or grabbing items
- A sensation of swelling in the fingers, even if they may not seem swollen
When Does Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Start In Pregnancy?
While carpal tunnel symptoms may appear at any moment throughout the pregnancy, most patients detect them in the second or third trimester. This is because pregnancy weight increase causes additional stress on the wrists.What Does Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Feel Like?
Carpal tunnel syndrome may cause discomfort in the wrists, hands, and fingers. It might feel like pinpricks or that your fingers or hands "fell asleep." You may also experience numbness, which causes you to shake your hands as if you were hurling water from them.Carpal tunnel syndrome pain is frequently felt from inside your hand or wrist, rather than at the skin's surface, as with cuts. The discomfort might seem like a quick, blistering stab or a continuous aching.
Some people with carpal tunnel syndrome believe their hands and grip are weaker than usual. Even if you're focusing, it may seem impossible to acquire a firm grip on a cup or pen.
Your hands and fingers may seem awkward or unable to make precise movements, such as buttoning a shirt or inserting a key into a lock.
What Are The Causes Of Pregnancy Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?
People who are pregnant are more likely to develop carpal tunnel syndrome symptoms such as hand tingling due to hormonal changes, musculoskeletal shifts, and increased fluid retention. However, the main culprit is the pregnancy hormone relaxin. It can cause laxity and inflammation in the wrist ligaments, which irritates the median nerve and causes carpal tunnel syndrome symptoms.If your symptoms aren't severe, many health professionals will recommend nonsurgical treatments to relieve them, including:
- Avoiding activities that worsen your symptoms, or taking frequent breaks from repetitive tasks
- Wearing a wrist splint to keep your wrist straight. This is frequently recommended for use at night, as many people naturally sleep with their wrists bent
- Visiting a physical therapist for specific exercises that stretch and strengthen the muscles in the hand and arm
- Alternative therapies depending on your symptoms, your provider may recommend additional therapies such as massage, yoga, ultrasound, or acupuncture
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Surgery
If conservative therapies do not work, your doctor will recommend carpal tunnel surgery. Your surgeon will conduct a carpal tunnel release to free up space within your wrist. They will create an incision (cut) in the transverse carpal ligament, which links your wrist and palm. This relieves pressure on your carpal tunnel and allows your tendons and nerves more room.Carpal tunnel release surgery is often an outpatient treatment, which means you may return home the same day. Your surgeon will explain what to anticipate and offer you recuperation advice.
What Are The Risk Factors?
Carpal tunnel syndrome may affect everyone, however, certain people are at a higher risk, such as:- People who do repeated actions with their hands and wrists at work (such as operating a computer or striking a hammer).
- People who utilise vibration-generating power instruments (such as drills or jackhammers).
- Pregnant people
- Women and those who are designated female at birth
- Adults above the age of forty
- Carpal tunnel syndrome may be inherited and handed down through generations in families.
Carpal tunnel syndrome risk may be increased by the following health conditions:
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Gout
- Hypothyroidism
- Diabetes
- Obesity
- Amyloidosis
What Are The Complications?
If your healthcare professional does not detect and treat carpal tunnel syndrome as quickly as possible, the discomfort in your wrist may result in lasting damage. Specifically, the increased pressure might injure your medial nerve, making it difficult or impossible to feel, move, or use your hand.If you discover carpal tunnel symptoms or changes in how you can feel or use your hand and wrist, see a doctor right away.
How Do Doctors Identify Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?
Carpal tunnel syndrome will be diagnosed by a healthcare practitioner after a physical examination and several tests. They will inspect your wrist, hand, and fingers while asking about your symptoms. Tell your doctor when you first observed symptoms and if certain activities or times of day improve or worsen them.Carpal tunnel testing
Your doctor will use a combination of physical and imaging tests to diagnose carpal tunnel syndrome, including:- Tinel's signature
- Phalen's Test
- Wrist x-rays.
- EMG (Electromyography)
- Ultrasound
- Magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI
How Soon Will You Feel Better Following The Treatment?
You should feel better as soon as you begin carpal tunnel therapy. Nonsurgical therapy may take several weeks (or more) to relieve pressure on your median nerve, but your symptoms should progressively improve.Carpal tunnel surgery should relieve your discomfort after your wrist recovers. It often takes a month or two to recuperate.
Can You Avoid Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?
Carpal tunnel syndrome may be difficult to prevent, particularly if it is caused by a medical condition or an activity that you cannot avoid. Protecting your wrists may help to lessen your risk.Stretch your wrists and hands before and after strenuous physical activity.
Wear the appropriate protective equipment for any jobs or hobbies.
Take regular pauses when working with your hands.
When working with tools or typing on a keyboard, be sure to use the correct technique and posture.
What To Anticipate If You Have Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?
You should anticipate modifying some of your everyday activities and attempt a few nonsurgical therapies to help your wrists and decrease inflammation within your carpal tunnel. Your healthcare professional will recommend therapies to alleviate carpal tunnel syndrome symptoms and avoid median nerve damage.It may take many attempts to discover treatments that work for you, but most individuals can obtain relief. If conservative therapy fails or you have severe carpal tunnel syndrome, your doctor will recommend surgery.
Can Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Heal Itself?
Carpal tunnel syndrome may improve on its own—especially if you relax or avoid repeated wrist movements for a period. However, carpal tunnel syndrome is unlikely to heal unless diagnosed and treated by a healthcare expert.It is not worth the danger of permanently damaging your median nerve. Consult a doctor as soon as you detect any tingling, discomfort, or numbness in your wrists, hands, or fingers.
What are the questions I should ask my doctor?
- Do I have carpal tunnel syndrome or another wrist condition?
- What causes carpal tunnel syndrome?
- What therapies will I need?
- Will I require surgery?
- Which kind of splint should I get and how frequently should I use it?
When Should You Consult Your Doctor About The Carpal Tunnel During Pregnancy?
Contact your doctor if your carpal tunnel symptoms last for several weeks, interfere with daily activities, or you notice new areas of numbness or weakness. Most pregnancy carpal tunnel syndromes are minor and do not require medical attention. However, in some cases, your doctor may recommend cortisone injections. Cortisone shots during pregnancy should be evaluated on an individual basis, taking into account the unique circumstances as well as potential risks and benefits.Surgery is not typically performed during pregnancy. Symptoms associated with childbirth frequently resolve on their own.
Anything that impairs your ability to feel and use your hands and fingers may be frightening, uncomfortable, and infuriating, and carpal tunnel syndrome is no exception. It occurs when inflammation puts more pressure on the median nerve in your wrist.
It may be tempting to disregard little discomfort, tingling, or numbness in your hand, particularly if it occurs intermittently. But don't dismiss these signs. Carpal tunnel syndrome may result in irreversible nerve damage if not addressed promptly. However, it is also very curable. Your doctor will help you in finding strategies to alleviate your discomfort while also preventing injury to your wrist.
FAQs on Carpal Tunnel Syndrome in Pregnancy
- How can I test for carpal tunnel syndrome at home?
The most useful test for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is Phalen's manoeuvre. Hold the backs of your hands together, fingers pointing down, and arms parallel to the floor. If you experience numbness, tingling, pain, or a combination of these symptoms within a minute, you most likely have nerve damage. - How do you sleep when you have carpal tunnel syndrome?
Start sleeping on your back or front. Side sleepers tend to sleep with their shoulders rounded forward and their arms and wrists bent. The pressure from your weight and bent arms may aggravate carpal tunnel syndrome. If possible, avoid sleeping on your side.
