Your wrist is an amazing, elegant joint that is actually many joints. The eight bones of the wrist are called carpals. These bones articulate with your radius and ulna, the two bones of the forearm, and with the metacarpals, the bones in your hand.
Through this very complicated area, without much open space, your tendons, nerves, and blood supply travel to keep the hand functioning properly.
One of the nerves passing through this tight spot is the median nerve. The median nerve enervates the palm side of the thumb and first three fingers (not the pinky). If the tendons that accompany the nerve through this narrow passageway become inflamed and swollen, the median nerve can become compressed. This is called carpal tunnel syndrome. Early symptoms include numbness and tingling to the hand and wrist. As the nerve becomes more injured, most people begin to experience pain, which can progress up the arm toward the neck.
If you are diagnosed with carpal tunnel syndrome, your primary care provider will first attempt conservative treatment to help resolve your symptoms. This may include anti-inflammatory medications, heat/cold, gentle range of motion exercises, and/or a wrist brace. If all conservative measures are ineffective and the symptoms limit your pain-free activities, surgical intervention may be an option.
Here at Mueller Sports Medicine, we specialize in the creating the orthopedic devices your physician uses in treating wrist injuries, including carpal tunnel syndrome, and any other orthopedic ills. To find out more about who we are and our great line of products, please contact us.