Presentation on carpal tunnel syndrome, its symptoms, its causes and treatment options.

1. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

2. Contents
• What is Carpal Tunnel?
• What is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?
• Symptoms
• Causes
• Treatment
• Exercise for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

3. What is Carpal Tunnel?
• It is a narrow passageway of ligament and
bones at the base of the hand.
• It houses the median nerve and tendons.

4. What is Carpal Tunnel
Syndrome?
• Condition wherein the median nerve in the
hand becomes pressed at the wrist.
• Thickening from irritated tendons causes
the median nerve to be compressed.

5. Symptoms
• Tingling of hand
• Numbness of hand
• Swollen fingers
• Decreased grip strength
• Inability to differentiate between hot
and cold by touch

6. Causes
• Congenital predisposition
• Sprain or fracture
• Hypothyroidism
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Mechanical problems in the wrist
joint

7. Causes
• Work stress
• Repeated use of vibrating
hand tools
• Fluid retention
• Cyst or tumor
• Bursitis
• Tendonitis

8. Treatment
Medication
– Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory
drugs
– Corticosteroids

9. Treatment
Exercise
Stretching and strengthening exercises
supervised by a physical therapist are
ideal for managing symptoms.

10. Treatment
Surgery
– The band of tissue is severed around
the wrist to reduce pressure on the
median nerve

11. Treatment
Orthoses
The following orthoses help manage
the carpal tunnel syndrome pain:
– Wrist hand orthosis
– Thumb spica splint
– Cock-up wrist splint

12. Exercise for Carpal Tunnel
Syndrome
• Extend and stretch both wrists and fingers
acutely as if they are in a hand-stand position.
Hold for a count of 5.
• Repeat 10 times.

13. Exercise for Carpal Tunnel
Syndrome
• Straighten both wrists and relax fingers.
• Make a tight fist with both hands.
• Then bend both wrists down while
keeping the fist.
• Hold for a count of 5.
• Straighten both wrists and relax
fingers, for a count of 5.
• Repeat 10 times.

14. For more information, visit www.cpousa.com

15. Thank you!