Fascia compressing the nerve at the wrist (Carpal Tunnel Syndrome) is a health problem often met in the present age, particularly among those who have to use their hands and wrists regularly. It is one of the conditions of office syndrome most met among working people, athletes, or even those who use a smartphone for long periods. This article will take you to an understanding of the symptoms, the causes, and the ways of treating fascia compressing the nerve at the wrist, so that you can care for the health of your hands and wrists correctly.

What is fascia compressing the nerve?

Fascia compressing the nerve, or carpal tunnel syndrome, is a state arising from the compression of the nerve around the wrist, which is the important nerve controlling the working of the fingers. When the nerve is compressed, it causes numbness, pain, and weakness in the hand, which may affect daily life and work.

This condition is usually found in those whose occupation requires heavy use of the hands, or those whose habit is to use the wrist in the same posture for long periods, such as office employees using a computer all the time, farmers and gardeners, or athletes who have to use the wrist heavily. Using the hand and the wrist in the same posture repeatedly over a long period will in the end make the fascia compress the nerve.

The early symptoms of fascia compressing the nerve that are often met

The early symptoms of fascia compressing the nerve that are often met

The symptoms of fascia compressing the nerve come on gradually and usually show themselves clearly at night. However, this condition can be treated and resolved; the sooner treatment is received, the less time the treatment will take. The symptoms of fascia compressing the nerve that are often met are as follows.

  • Numbness, pain, and burning around the palm or the fingers, particularly the thumb and the index finger
  • Pins and needles running from the forearm up to the shoulder
  • A feeling of sharp numbness, like an electric shock in the finger at times
  • A feeling of pain as if a needle were pricking the hand
  • The area of the hand feeling hot, or having a warm temperature
  • Weakness of the hand, no strength in the hand, or dropping things often
  • Wasting of the muscle in the palm
  • Some patients whose nerve has been compressed for a long time may be unable to pick things up

What causes fascia compressing the nerve?

The main cause of fascia compressing the nerve at the wrist is that the fascia around the wrist becomes larger and thicker until it pushes the area of the wrist up. It usually arises from using the wrist repeatedly and continuously over a long period, or using it too much, such as bending the wrist or arching the wrist often. The occupations at high risk include those who use a computer regularly, farmers and gardeners, or athletes who have to use the wrist a great deal.

The factors that bring about fascia compressing the nerve

Besides heavy use of the wrist and the hand until the fascia thickens, there are also other risk factors that may trigger fascia compressing the nerve, as follows.

Typing or using the hand in the same posture for long periods

Carpal tunnel syndrome non-surgical treatment: typing or using the hand in the same posture for long periods

Those whose occupation requires the wrist mainly in their work, or who work in the same posture for long periods, are at high risk of fascia compressing the nerve at the wrist, such as office employees who have to type or use a mouse for long periods. Working in this way may make the tendons at the wrist become inflamed and swollen until they compress the nerve. Resting at intervals and correcting the posture of work suitably are therefore important in preventing the problem of fascia compressing the nerve at the wrist.

Athletes

Athletes in certain sports, particularly sports that use the wrist a great deal, such as tennis, badminton, or table tennis, are at high risk of fascia compressing the nerve at the wrist, since they have to bend or stretch the hand and the wrist forcefully on a regular basis. Playing these sports strenuously without rest and suitable care may increase the compressing force on the nerve around the wrist. Athletes should therefore give importance to warming up, stretching the muscles, and resting and recovering enough.

Pregnancy

During pregnancy the hormones in the mother's body change, which may cause swelling around the hands and wrists, and result in a compressing force on the nerve at the wrist. Besides this, the changes in body weight and in the distribution of water in the body during pregnancy may also increase the risk of fascia compressing the nerve at the wrist. Pregnant mothers should therefore watch for abnormal symptoms and consult a doctor if there is numbness or pain in the hands and wrists.

Underlying conditions

Patients with certain underlying conditions are at high risk of fascia compressing the nerve, particularly those with these conditions.

  1. Diabetes: patients with diabetes are at high risk, since a high level of sugar in the blood may cause inflammation and swelling of the tissue, and also of the nerve around the wrist
  2. Rheumatoid arthritis: this condition causes inflammation of the joints, which may result in swelling and compression of the nerve at the wrist
  3. Thyroid disease: an abnormality of the thyroid gland may affect the working of the nerves and the muscles, increasing the risk of fascia compressing the nerve

Heredity

Some patients with fascia compressing the nerve may have heredity as the cause, having a wrist of a character different from other people's, in that the channel at the front of the wrist, called the Carpal Tunnel, is smaller than normal, with the result that they risk fascia compressing the nerve at the wrist more than the general population. Anyone with someone in the family who has this condition is also at risk of developing it easily.

The risk groups that should watch for the problem of fascia compressing the nerve

  • Those whose occupation requires the wrist a great deal, such as writers, office employees, and gamers
  • Those who have had an accident around the wrist
  • Those whose weight is above the standard
  • Those with an underlying condition, such as diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, and hypothyroidism
  • Athletes in certain sports, such as tennis and table tennis players

When should a doctor be seen?

When the pain arising from fascia compressing the nerve at the wrist becomes an obstacle in daily life, such as dropping things often, feeling pain while driving that cannot be borne, or typing for only a few minutes and feeling pain in the wrist that cannot be borne, these symptoms are a sign telling you that you should see a doctor immediately. Do not let the symptoms spread until they are more severe than this, so that correct treatment can be given in good time.

The general approach to treating fascia compressing the nerve at the wrist

There are several ways of treating fascia compressing the nerve at the wrist, depending on the severity of the symptoms and the cause. In general, when the doctor considers that the symptoms are not very heavy, treatment follows the symptoms; but if the symptoms do not improve, surgery is then considered.

Changing the habit of using the wrist

Changing the habit of using the wrist is one of the first things that should be done, by avoiding the activities that make the symptoms worse, such as using a computer continuously for long periods. The wrist should be rested from use at intervals, and staying in the same posture for long periods should be avoided. Besides this, care should be taken not to let impact fall on the wrist, because it may increase the pressure in the carpal tunnel and result in damage to the nerve.

Using a wrist splint

Using a Wrist Splint is an approach to treating fascia compressing the nerve that uses a device to put the wrist in a suitable position, helping reduce the compressing force on the nerve, particularly at night or while doing activities that use the wrist a great deal. Using a splint keeps the wrist in a straight position, reducing bending or extending the wrist too far, which is the cause of increased pressure in the carpal tunnel. But a splint should be used only as the doctor advises.

Physiotherapy

Physiotherapy is a method that helps restore the working of the wrist and the nerve. The rehabilitation physician or the physiotherapist will advise suitable exercises and stretching of the muscle, in order to increase the flexibility of the tissue and reduce the compressing force on the nerve. Besides this, physiotherapy equipment can also be used in treatment, such as treatment with a magnetic field (Magnetic Stimulation) with the PMS device, and treatment with a high-power laser (High Power Laser). Physiotherapy done consistently helps increase the circulation of blood and reduce the pain and numbness arising from fascia compressing the nerve at the wrist.

Steroid injection

Injecting a steroid into the carpal tunnel is a method that helps reduce the inflammation and relieve the pain quickly, the doctor injecting the medicine into the area around the nerve that is compressed. This method can help most patients have better symptoms.

Surgery

Surgery is the last option for patients with fascia compressing the nerve who do not respond to other treatment or whose symptoms are severe. There are two main methods of surgery: open surgery and endoscopic surgery. In open surgery, the doctor opens a wound of about 5-6 centimetres to cut the fascia compressing the nerve. Endoscopic surgery uses a smaller wound and recovery is faster. Both methods are similar in their effectiveness of treatment.

The approach and what stands out about treating fascia compressing the nerve at PYONG Rehabilitation Clinic

Receiving treatment for fascia compressing the nerve at the wrist at PYONG Rehabilitation Clinic can be done with the PMS device or the High power laser device, which help relieve the pain effectively. However, it is advised to see a doctor for examination and diagnosis; the doctor is the one who will assess and advise the way of treating it that suits each person's symptoms appropriately. Besides treatment that helps relieve the pain effectively, PYONG Rehabilitation Clinic also emphasises holistic treatment, combining treatment along the lines of rehabilitation medicine with changes of lifestyle, in order to help the symptoms of fascia compressing the nerve at the wrist gradually improve and not come back again.

How to prevent fascia compressing the nerve at the wrist

Carpal tunnel syndrome non-surgical treatment: how to prevent fascia compressing the nerve at the wrist

Preventing fascia compressing the nerve at the wrist is important, since the main cause usually comes from using the wrist too heavily, which causes swelling and compression of the nerve. Changing habits is considered an important factor that helps prevent fascia compressing the nerve at the wrist well. Besides this, heavy use of the wrist should be avoided and rest taken at intervals; exercises should be done to release the muscle; activities that require bending the wrist a great deal should be avoided; the posture of the wrist should be corrected so that the arm and the hand are in the same line, not bent and not tilted too far; and devices should be used to help reduce the bending of the wrist, such as an ergonomic mouse or keyboard. Simply following the ways advised here helps prevent and reduce the risk of fascia compressing the nerve at the wrist effectively.

FAQ

For anyone who has read this far but still has questions about fascia compressing the nerve at the wrist, PYONG Rehabilitation Clinic has gathered the questions often met and answered them so that everyone's doubts are resolved.

Can fascia compressing the nerve at the wrist be cured completely?

Fascia compressing the nerve at the wrist is a condition that can be cured completely. The sooner treatment begins, the less time the treatment takes. Importantly, with fascia compressing the nerve at the wrist, the pattern of living should be changed alongside the treatment, so that the symptoms do not come back again.

Does fascia compressing the nerve at the wrist require surgery?

Fascia compressing the nerve at the wrist can be treated by other methods without surgery, such as physiotherapy, the use of painkillers, or changing certain habits. But where these various methods have been tried without improvement, the doctor may consider surgery.

What is the price of treatment at PYONG Rehabilitation Clinic?

Summary