SplintsWearing resting splint can help preventthe symptoms occurring a - PDF document

SplintsWearing resting splint can help preventthe symptoms occurring at night, or working splint can be useful if yoursymptoms are brought on by particularactivities. Your doctor physiotherapistcan advise on where you can be ttedwith splint.Steroid injectionsTo reduce inammation, your doctor orspecialist physiotherapist can give yousteroid injection into your carpal tunnel.The injection may uncomfortable, butthe effects can last for weeks or months. steroid injection into the wrist joint itselfmay help if you have arthritis in your wrist.Your pain should ease within weeks and you should recover overapproximately 4–6 week period.You should use the exercises overleaffor at least 6–8 weeks to help preventsymptoms returning.on nerves in the neck due to disc problemsor arthritis can cause similar symptoms.nerve conduction test may help if there’sany doubt about the diagnosis.What causes carpaltunnel syndrome?Carpal tunnel syndrome is commonproblem. It’s often caused by work-relatedactivities, such as typing, and repetitivemovements, although some cases maybe related to arthritis of the wrist, thyroiddisease and pregnancy. Your risk ofdeveloping it may be greater if your jobplaces heavy demands on your wristorifyou use vibrating tools.What can be done to help?If there’s particular cause, like anunderactive thyroid arthritis, treatingthat condition may help. Other treatmentwill depend on how severe the nervecompression is. It’s important to get helpquickly if your hand muscles are weak.What is carpal tunnel syndrome?Carpal tunnel syndrome is condition inwhich the median nerve is squeezed whereit passes through the wrist. This oftenhappens because the tendons in the wristhave become swollen and they press onthe nerve. The median nerve controls someof the muscles that move the thumb and itcarries information back to the brain aboutsensations in your thumb and ngers.When the nerve is squeezed it can causepain, aching, tingling or numbness in theaffected hand. The symptoms tend to beworse at night and may disturb your sleep,but you may notice it most when you wakeup in the morning. Hanging your hand outofbed or shaking it around will often relievethe pain and tingling.You may not notice the p

roblem at all duringthe day, though certain activities suchas writing, typing, DIY or housework canbring symptoms.Sometimes the condition can be mistakenfor something else. For example, pressureThe wrist The tendons and the median nerve pass throughthe carpal tunnel in the wrist.CarpaltunnelTendons Mediannerve Carpal tunnel syndrome can produce numbnessor tingling in the shaded area. Sleeping in resting splint can help. Simple exercisesWrist bend(forward and back)Rest your elbow on table,arm pointing up, wrist straight.Gently bend your wrist forwardat right angle and hold forseconds. Straighten your wrist.Gently bend it backwards andhold for seconds. Do setsof 10 repetitions.Wrist liftPlace your palm on the tableand lift the ngers up. Placeyour other hand across theknuckles at 90º and pushdown as the bottom hand triesto pull up. You should feelthe muscles of your forearmscontracting. Swap handsandrepeat.Wrist exKeeping your arm straightinfront with your palm facingdown, gently bend your wristdown. Use the oppositehand to press the stretchinghand back towards yourbody and hold for 15–30seconds. Straighten your wrist.Gentlybend the stretchinghand backwards andthe opposite hand to pull thengers back. Hold for 15–30seconds. Do sets witheach wrist.Carpalsyndrome provides general informationabout carpal syndromeexercises that may help. Finger bendStart with your ngers heldout straight. Gently bend themiddle joints of your ngersdown toward your upperpalmand hold for seconds.Do sets of 10 repetitions.Wrist stretch with weightHolding light weight (e.g tinof beans), stretch your arm outin front with your palm down.Slowly bend your wrist upward,and then return to the startingposition. Do sets of 10repetitions. Gradually increasethe weight you hold.Hand squeezeSqueeze rubber ball andholdfor seconds. Do setsof 10 repetitions. Summary Carpal tunnel syndrome can usuallybe easily treated. Symptoms tend to be worse at night hang your hand out of bed or shakeitaround to ease pain. Certain activities can bring onsymptoms. Wearing working wristsplint may be helpful. Try the exercises suggested heretohelp ease pain and preventfuture injuries. LOCATION:PRINERGYColours 2302/P-CARP/12-9 www.arthritisresearchuk.or