Yonemoto Physical Therapy

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome or CTS is a fairly common disorder especially among women approaching middle age. Changes in the balance of female sex hormones may lead to an accumulation of fluid and consequent swelling in the wrist at the time of menopause.  

A common cause is swelling due to an inflammation of the tendon and its sheath. This may follow repeated flexion of the wrist with hand held extended, as when using computers. It may also follow prolonged use of the wrist by arthritic patients using a walking stick.  
Carpal tunnel syndrome may occur during the last trimester of pregnancy or as part of the premenstrual syndrome, presumably due to fluid retention. Various metabolic diseases have also been described as a cause.  

The symptoms include tingling and intermittent numbness of part of the hand, often accompanied by pains shooting up the arm from the wrist. Pain is generally worse at night. If you hang your hand over the side of the bed and rub or shake it, the pain may lesson. If the condition is very severe it can result in permanent numbness and weakness of the thumb and fingers. One or both hands may be affected. The dominant hand is generally affected the most. Also, there may be an unpleasant stiffness in the fingers especially in the morning.

Electrodiagnosis is the method of choice for accurately diagnosing CTS. Nerves extending from the wrist to the thumb and fingers are tested using electrical impulses for sensory and motor response.  

Some very mild cases may clear up without treatment. In more severe cases physical therapy should begin. The physical therapist can often bring about improvement without having to resort to other measures. Classic treatment is immobilization of the wrist by a splint worn on the affected wrist for two or three weeks.  

To reduce the amount of fluid in the swollen tissues, your physician may prescribe a diuretic drug. An injection of a steroid at the wrist can help combat inflammation. If you are in pain and the condition persists, the last resort for the treatment is an operation. The surgeon frees the pinched nerve by cutting through the tough membrane, creating more space. This is usually a successful procedure giving immediate relief, requiring only a brief hospital stay, and leaving a barely noticeable scar on the inside of the wrist.  

If you feel you have Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, or know someone who does, call us for more information, and have them consult with their physician immediately.  

Sheila Yonemoto, P.T.

Yonemoto Physical Therapy
55 S. Raymond Ave., Suite 100,  Alhambra, CA 91801
PHONE:  626 576 0591 / FAX: 626 576 5890

Links: 
http://www.yonemoto.com/ - Yonemoto Physical Therapy home page 
http://www.yonemoto.com/programs/IMT.htm - Integrative Manual Therapy, a Hands-On Approach 
http://www.yonemoto.com/programs/qigong.htm - Qigong to boost the immune system

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