What is Carpal Tunnel and who gets it?

- One of the most common hand conditions.

- Pressure on something called ‘median nerve’ that goes through the wrist.

- The nerve goes through a narrow ‘tunnel’ (carpal tunnel) in the wrist, and when it gets compressed, you can develop symptoms.

- 1-5% of the population get it at some point. Twice as common in women as men.

- Most often seen in those between 30 and 60 years of age.

- Increased risk with pregnancy, diabetes, wrist injury, obesity, and repetitive wrist activities such as manual labour and sport.



How do you recognise it?

- People often start to notice it at night: wake up with a tingly or numb hand and have to shake the hand out. Especially prominent in the thumb, and index, and middle fingers.

- Sometimes described as electric shock, sometimes holding the steering wheel of car, holding a newspaper.

- May be described as pain, and people often get discomfort up the forearm.

- Can cause hand weakness and cause people to drop things.



How do you diagnose it?

- Your doctor will take careful history.

- Examine the wrist

- Order a nerve conduction study which shows if the nerve is being compressed.

- Sometimes an Xray or blood tests are ordered to check for any underlying condition like diabetes.  



What do you do about?

- It depends on the severity.

- Often it involves avoiding activities that make it worse, resting the hand if repetitive movements make it worse.

- Using a wrist splint to keep wrist straight – especially at night to alleviate symptoms.

- If it’s severe and ongoing, then refer to the orthopaedic surgeon, who do a simple operation to relieve the pressure on the nerve.



LISTEN ABOVE

What is Carpal Tunnel and who gets it? 
- One of the most common hand conditions. 
- Pressure on something called ‘median nerve’ that goes through the wrist. 
- The nerve goes through a narrow ‘tunnel’ (carpal tunnel) in the wrist, and when it gets compressed, you can develop symptoms. 
- 1-5% of the population get it at some point. Twice as common in women as men. 
- Most often seen in those between 30 and 60 years of age. 
- Increased risk with pregnancy, diabetes, wrist injury, obesity, and repetitive wrist activities such as manual labour and sport. 
  
How do you recognise it? 
- People often start to notice it at night: wake up with a tingly or numb hand and have to shake the hand out. Especially prominent in the thumb, and index, and middle fingers. 
- Sometimes described as electric shock, sometimes holding the steering wheel of car, holding a newspaper. 
- May be described as pain, and people often get discomfort up the forearm. 
- Can cause hand weakness and cause people to drop things. 
  
How do you diagnose it? 
- Your doctor will take careful history. 
- Examine the wrist 
- Order a nerve conduction study which shows if the nerve is being compressed. 
- Sometimes an Xray or blood tests are ordered to check for any underlying condition like diabetes.   
  
What do you do about? 
- It depends on the severity. 
- Often it involves avoiding activities that make it worse, resting the hand if repetitive movements make it worse. 
- Using a wrist splint to keep wrist straight – especially at night to alleviate symptoms. 
- If it’s severe and ongoing, then refer to the orthopaedic surgeon, who do a simple operation to relieve the pressure on the nerve. 
 
LISTEN ABOVE

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Jack Tame’s crisp perspective, style and enthusiasm makes for refreshing and entertaining Saturday morning radio on Newstalk ZB. News, sport, books, music, gardens and celebrities – what better way to spend your Saturdays?

Jack Tame’s crisp perspective, style and enthusiasm makes for refreshing and entertaining Saturday morning radio on Newstalk ZB.News, sport, books, music, gardens and celebrities – what better way to spend your Saturdays?

Saturday Morning with Jack Tame

Dr Bryan Betty: Carpel Tunnel

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/310b7f6b-05d5-423a-8608-b1ce01881cb3/transcript