Excessive use of hands and wrists in many occupational groups can cause pain in these areas. As a result, numbness, tingling and weakening of the fingers in these areas may be a sign of carpal tunnel syndrome. This disease, which is seen in desk workers, keyboard-mouse users, housewives and occupational groups where the hand and wrist is used more, reduces the quality of life and may require surgical intervention in the future. Providing information about both the disease and its treatment, Neurology Specialist Dr. Ebru Sevinç said, "Avoid movements that will traumatize the wrists as much as possible."
“It is seen in occupational groups where wrists are frequently used”
Stating that there is a channel in the wrist where the vessels, nerves and tendons are located in the carpal tunnel and that a nerve called the median nerve passes through this channel, the disease occurs as a result of the compression and compression of this nerve in the canal. Ebru Sevinç said, “It is a common disease that occurs when we do activities that put a load on the wrist in situations where we need to use the wrist a lot. It is a disease that we see frequently, especially in people who work in jobs that require strength with their wrists and hands, or who make repetitive turning, turning, bending movements.
“It is seen a lot in housewives”
Stating that the disease is not seen in certain occupational groups, but it is mostly seen in housewives, Ebru Sevinç said, “Bending, squeezing and turning movements are a disease caused by the constant repetition of small injuries on the wrist, which we call micro-trauma. In desk workers, on the other hand, the median nerve is compressed and damaged due to the inability to use both the mouse and the keyboard in the appropriate position. Because of this, there has been an increase in carpal tunnel syndrome.”
“Complaints can sometimes be such that they wake patients up at night”
Stating that patients' complaints are usually pain, numbness and tingling in their hands, wrists and first three fingers, and that they feel more after repetitive activities during the day, Sevinç says, "Sometimes these complaints can wake patients up at night. Patients say that their hands are swollen and their fingers are stiff, but after a while with small massages, those complaints go away and they can fall asleep again. The symptoms may also be accompanied by loss of strength in the future. “Patients say that they cannot hold anything like they used to, that they cannot grasp the knife well when cutting vegetables and fruits, and that they cannot cut as before, or they have similar complaints.”
“Take frequent breaks and rest the wrist”
Sevinç said that the diagnosis was made by giving electrical impulses to the nerves in the patient's hand and the extent of damage to the nerve was determined by measuring the nerve. We recommend that they avoid movements that will traumatize their wrists as much as possible, and if they cannot avoid it, they should take frequent breaks and rest their wrists to continue their work. If the patient is someone who works at the computer, we definitely suggest that they use a wristband-supported mouse pad and pay attention to the positions they use the keyboard. Afterwards, we suggest wristbands, which we call hand and wrist rest splints, that they must be worn at night while they sleep, and that they should use those wristbands if possible while they are doing activities that will put a load on their wrists during the day. We also refer patients to physical therapy. Sometimes edema-solving treatments may be required and we can make steroid injections into the wrist. If the patient's pain is too much, we can benefit from painkillers, but in some patients, we cannot relieve the complaints with treatment. If a medium-heavy level is observed in EMG measurements, we recommend that they refer to the surgical procedure and undergo surgery.”
“In case of such complaints, consult a doctor as soon as possible”
“Patients postpone their complaints. Sevinç said, "These pains are not usually long lasting and regressed with a few maneuvers, so they are not considered important" and concluded his words as follows: "We want patients to consult a doctor as soon as possible when they have such complaints. Starting treatment at an early stage as a result of early diagnosis helps us to maintain the patient's quality of life.“
