Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Specialist in Augusta GA

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Specialist in Augusta GA

It's the scourge of the office, the workplace injury all of us should fear: carpal tunnel syndrome.   Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is results from compression of the median nerve within the carpal tunnel. It is a cause of significant disability, and is one of three common median nerve entrapment syndromes; the other two being anterior interosseous nerve syndrome and pronator teres syndrome. 

According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), carpal tunnel syndrome is “the most common and widely known of the entrapment neuropathies, in which the body’s peripheral nerves are compressed or traumatized.”

A variety of factors have been associated with the onset of CTS, including trauma, pregnancy, oral contraceptives, diabetes, hypothyroidism, rheumatoid arthritis, and occupational factors such as repetitive motion or use of vibrating tools. 

Background

The carpal tunnel is a defined anatomic space with the following:

●The dorsal surface is formed by the carpal bones, while the volar surface is formed by the transverse carpal ligament (flexor retinaculum), which attaches ulnarly to the hamate and pisiform, and radially to the trapezium and scaphoid tuberosity.

●The antebrachial fascia of the forearm is continuous with the transverse carpal ligament of the palm. The four flexor digitorum profundus tendons, four flexor digitorum superficialis tendons, the flexor pollicis longus tendon, and the median nerve pass within the carpal tunnel.

Epidemiology

Prevalence of CTS is estimated to be 2-4% of the adult US population, translating to 4-10 million patients, with a lifetime incidence of 10-15%, dependent upon occupational risk 4.

Carpal tunnel syndrome usually occurs between the ages of 36 and 60 years and is two to five times more common in women than in men.

Symptoms

The first signs are often burning, tingling (or itching) and numbness in the palm and fingers. The dominant hand is usually affected first. Most people begin to notice the sensations in bed at night and, in the morning, feel as if they have to shake their hands or wrists to restore normal feeling. As the condition worsens, symptoms include pain, weakness or numbness in the hand and wrist radiating up the arm. Over time, weakness and atrophy can develop in some of the small hand muscles that control the thumb. You may find it hard to make a fist or pick up small objects and, in some cases, you may not be able to feel the difference between hot and cold with your hands.

Summary

Carpal tunnel syndrome is a painful disorder of the hand caused by pressure on nerves that run through the wrist. Symptoms include numbness, pins and needles, and pain. Pregnancy, arthritis or repetitive hand movements can cause carpal tunnel syndrome. Splinting and medications can help, but sometimes an operation is needed.

Treatment with a Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Specialist in Augusta GA

A rise in the familiarity of the condition has led many people to make erroneous conclusions that any pain or discomfort in the hand or wrist should be attributed to carpal tunnel syndrome. Other conditions can cause similar complaints, which is why it is important to seek medical advice to help determine the exact cause in any particular case.

As experienced chiropractors in Augusta GA and chiropractors in Evans GA, Georgia Clinic of Chiropractic has had tremendous success to treating patients for carpal tunnel syndrome.  In addition to providing customized chiropractic treatments, Georgia Clinic of Chiropractic is also able to provide patients with super pulsed cold laser therapy, with settings specifically made to treat carpal tunnel syndrome.  Approved by the FDA, cold laser therapy has been proven in multiple studies to be an effective form of treatment for patients suffering from carpal tunnel syndrome.