With an increase in youth sports participation there is an increase in youth related sports injuries. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), high school athletes, alone, account for an estimated two million injuries, 500,000 doctor visits, and 30,000 hospitalizations every year. A common sports related injury is carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS).
Most people with CTS report pain and pins and needles or tingling, weakness and numbness in the hands. Carpal tunnel syndrome is the irritation of the synovial membranes around the tendons in the carpal tunnel. This inflammation results in in pressure on the median nerve. The median nerve travels from the forearm into the hand through a 'tunnel' in your wrist. Understanding Carpal Tunnel makes is more avoidable and treatable.
Anyone that has to deal with the various problems of CTS will also note they might end up suffering from considerable numbness in the fingers. This numbness might affect the extremities of the hand. This annoying numbness might occur often at night. The pain can reach a level of intensity that could even wake a person right out of a deep sleep. A burning sensation might even be felt in the finger region. There will be instances where the weakened grip results ends up making it difficult to securely hold onto an object.
One must not overlook the symptoms of CTS are also like those of Paresthesia. This affects the thoracic outlet in the arm. Because the median nerve we mentioned before passes through this area of the forearm before it reaches the carpal tunnel, it can become trapped and cause symptoms like those we have already looked at.
CTS can be attributed to anything that can cause irritation o the synovial membranes located around the tendons of the hands which lead to pressure on the median nerve. The most common irritating actions would be consistent grasping, bending the wrist all the time, arthritis and even diabetes. Overuse of the hand can further contribute to the onset of CTS. You see this overuse a lot in the world of sports. Other factors that can cause such a problem would be tumors, trauma and, possibly, obesity.
If you do not take the steps to treat CTS, the problem might continue to grow and even become worse as permanent damage to the median nerve might be the unfortunate end result. When this nerve suffers from damage, the common symptoms of CTS can end up getting worse which means weakness and numbness will not go away and potentially far worse symptoms could end up emerging.
Those that have treatment undertaken to correct the problem will learn that they may be able to fix what is wrong with the nerves. Among the most common treatments for the problem will be RICE (rest, ice and compression along with elevation). The wrist will commonly be immobilized with a brace to facilitate this result. Anti-inflammatories might be prescribed to help cut down on pain and inflammation and this might help with reducing the potential for enhanced damage to the median nerve.
If CTS can't be controlled or relieved a doctor is likely to recommend Corticosteroid injections and then surgery. Surgery is he only treatment that offers and provides permanent relief. The nerve is released in a procedure called Carpal Tunnel Release.
Carpal tunnel syndrome in young athletes is on the rise; it is treatable but is best prevented.
It is possible to avoid CTS by way of using proper technique in performance and also by avoiding putting your hands and arms through too much stress. When you are starting to show the common symptoms of CTS, then you are well advise to speak with a doctor. Do not wait to see if the problem fixes itself. You must get professional advice to avoid having to go through a troubling surgery.
Most people with CTS report pain and pins and needles or tingling, weakness and numbness in the hands. Carpal tunnel syndrome is the irritation of the synovial membranes around the tendons in the carpal tunnel. This inflammation results in in pressure on the median nerve. The median nerve travels from the forearm into the hand through a 'tunnel' in your wrist. Understanding Carpal Tunnel makes is more avoidable and treatable.
Anyone that has to deal with the various problems of CTS will also note they might end up suffering from considerable numbness in the fingers. This numbness might affect the extremities of the hand. This annoying numbness might occur often at night. The pain can reach a level of intensity that could even wake a person right out of a deep sleep. A burning sensation might even be felt in the finger region. There will be instances where the weakened grip results ends up making it difficult to securely hold onto an object.
One must not overlook the symptoms of CTS are also like those of Paresthesia. This affects the thoracic outlet in the arm. Because the median nerve we mentioned before passes through this area of the forearm before it reaches the carpal tunnel, it can become trapped and cause symptoms like those we have already looked at.
CTS can be attributed to anything that can cause irritation o the synovial membranes located around the tendons of the hands which lead to pressure on the median nerve. The most common irritating actions would be consistent grasping, bending the wrist all the time, arthritis and even diabetes. Overuse of the hand can further contribute to the onset of CTS. You see this overuse a lot in the world of sports. Other factors that can cause such a problem would be tumors, trauma and, possibly, obesity.
If you do not take the steps to treat CTS, the problem might continue to grow and even become worse as permanent damage to the median nerve might be the unfortunate end result. When this nerve suffers from damage, the common symptoms of CTS can end up getting worse which means weakness and numbness will not go away and potentially far worse symptoms could end up emerging.
Those that have treatment undertaken to correct the problem will learn that they may be able to fix what is wrong with the nerves. Among the most common treatments for the problem will be RICE (rest, ice and compression along with elevation). The wrist will commonly be immobilized with a brace to facilitate this result. Anti-inflammatories might be prescribed to help cut down on pain and inflammation and this might help with reducing the potential for enhanced damage to the median nerve.
If CTS can't be controlled or relieved a doctor is likely to recommend Corticosteroid injections and then surgery. Surgery is he only treatment that offers and provides permanent relief. The nerve is released in a procedure called Carpal Tunnel Release.
Carpal tunnel syndrome in young athletes is on the rise; it is treatable but is best prevented.
It is possible to avoid CTS by way of using proper technique in performance and also by avoiding putting your hands and arms through too much stress. When you are starting to show the common symptoms of CTS, then you are well advise to speak with a doctor. Do not wait to see if the problem fixes itself. You must get professional advice to avoid having to go through a troubling surgery.
About the Author:
Find out more about SportsMed. Whether you're dealing with sports injuries, on-the-job injuries, or general orthopedic complaints, SportsMed is the only resource you need in the South East. The author didn't consult with SportsMED on the validity or accuracy of this article.
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