What are the symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome?

Carpal tunnel syndrome is a disorder occurring in wrists
which causes pain and interferes with use of hands. It is perhaps the most common of the
group of disorders called repetitive strain injuries, which are caused by performing a
similar activity, over-straining a particular part of the body, over and over
again.

In carpal tunnel syndrome, a canal, known as carpal
tunnel, formed by the bones and ligaments in the wrist, through which the median nerve
passes, narrows down due to various reasons. This creates pressure on median nerve,
causing pain and interfering with work of the hand.

Carpal
tunnel syndrome may result from a variety of reasons other than repetitive work. These
include injuries such as wrist fracture, arthritis complicated by swelling of tendons in
the carpal tunnel, thickening of membrane around tendons during
pregnancy.

Symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome include pain
and numbness in the fingers of the hands affected, weakness of hand muscles. Such
weakness of the hand muscles may be apparent in increased tendency to drop objects held
in hand.

Carpal tunnel disorder is usually treated by
improving the underlying condition. Splint may be applied to the wrist to restrict
movement of the wrist to aid in healing. Anti-inflammatory medications may be used to
reduce swelling of tendons. In extreme cases it may be necessary to perform surgery to
relieve pain and prevent permanent damage.