What is CTS?

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) – a condition which causes pain, numbness, tingling, and weakness in the fingers of the hand. It happens when there is increased pressure within the wrist on a nerve called the median nerve.

Common Symptoms:

• Numbness in the fingers
• Tingling and burning sensation in the hand, formication
• Noctural pain in the hand
• Weakness in the hand and hand muscle atrophy in the cases of advanced form of CTS

Anatomical reference:

Median nerve provides sensation to the thumb, index and middle fingers, and to half of the ring finger. Edema, thickening of the ligament in the carpal tunnel can lead to abnormal pressure on and irritation of the nerve.

The carpal tunnel is a narrow passageway in the wrist through which the median nerve travels through. The passageway is formed between the carpal bones and carpal ligament. (see the figure).

Exciting causes of CTS and its frequency

According to the research, Сarpal Tunnel Syndrome affects from 3,7 % to 7% of the human population.

65-80 % of cases are women between the ages 40 and 60 years old. In approximately half the cases both hands are damaged.

Сarpal Tunnel Syndrome can be considered as an occupational disease. Those whose work is connected with monotonous and long-term wrist movements (e.g. cyclists, pianists, e-sportsmen, drummers, artists, etc.) are affected the most.

The narrowing of the carpal ligament and as a consequence pressure on the nerve can also be caused by:

• Hormone imbalance;
• Arthritic diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and gout;
• obesity, diabetes;
• Other conditions (wrist facture and dislocation, renal insufficiency, tumors)