From womansworld.com
Both conditions are more common in women and can cause similar symptoms
Not that long ago, carpal tunnel syndrome was all over the news. Blame the modern age and repetitive tasks like typing for the surge in nerve pain in our hands and wrists. Though the condition has retreated a bit from the headlines, it’s no less common today, affecting up to five percent of Americans. But it can sometimes have similar symptoms to arthritis, especially in the early stages, and as a result, it can be hard to diagnose carpal tunnel syndrome. So, when it comes to carpal tunnel vs. arthritis, how do you know which might be causing painful joints? We talked to top hand surgeons to break down the differences between the two and reveal the best treatments for each.
What causes carpal tunnel vs. arthritis?
Carpal tunnel syndrome, most often caused by overuse, is the compression of the median nerve as it goes into the hand, explains Kate Wilkins Nellans, MD, MPH, board-certified, fellowship-trained Hand Surgeon practicing out of North Shore University Hospital and Long Island Jewish Medical Center at Northwell Health. “As it crosses the wrist, the nerve goes through a narrow passageway that can lead to symptoms like numbness and tingling—and sometimes a deep ache shooting up your arm.”
Osteoarthritis arthritis, on the other hand, is caused by wear and tear of joints and cartilage over a lifetime, she continues. “One of the most commonly affected areas for women is at the base of the thumb, so tasks that require gripping and grasping, like opening a jar, can be difficult.”
What about an inflammatory condition like rheumatoid arthritis? “You’ll likely feel more global stiffness and swelling in multiple joints like your hips and ankles,” she explains, adding that if this is the case, the best place to start is by seeing a rheumatologist.
How to tell the difference between carpal tunnel and arthritis
The biggest tell-tale sign of carpal tunnel syndrome is that wrist pain is almost always worse at night, reveals Dr. Nellans. “That’s largely because when we sleep, our hands are often curled under our chin. That position, with the wrist flexed, is really putting a lot of extra pressure on the median nerve.” If you wake up needing to shake out your hand, that’s another red flag. “You might feel tingling, similar to when your foot falls asleep.”
Another reason carpal tunnel pain is often exacerbated when we hit the hay is because our extremities tend to swell at night. In fact, the circumference of our hands and fingers typically enlarges by about 10 percent overnight, she notes. “So when that already tight area swells up and puts pressure on the nerve, pain often worsens.”
Why these conditions are more common in women
A combination of environmental factors and good old-fashioned biology likely predisposes women to both conditions. “We tend to do more activities that require pinching, gripping, grasping and turning, which wear down the joints and lead to osteoarthritis,” she shares. “Women also have significantly looser ligaments than men, and that excess motion is grinding down at the joint over a lifetime, and is particularly bad for the cartilage.”
As for carpal tunnel, our bone structure is a little bit different than a man’s—specifically the space at the wrist is slightly smaller for us, she says, explaining that the tunnel is covered by something called the transverse carpal ligament, and as we age, it gets thicker. “And as it thickens, there’s really no place for the nerve to go, causing pain.”
Can arthritis lead to carpal tunnel syndrome?
Yes, notes Scott Fried, MD, hand and upper extremities orthopaedic surgeon and president of Doctor In The House. “In some patients, arthritis can actually change the shape or contour of the hand and wrist. When there is less room for the median nerve to go through the carpal tunnel, it can cause increased pressure, leading to carpal tunnel syndrome.”
But it’s important to note the reverse is not true: Carpal tunnel doesn’t increase the chance of developing arthritis. The good news is that both conditions are easily treated, he promises.
How to ease carpal tunnel syndrome
Here, Dr. Nellans shares a few tried-and-true strategies to help alleviate the pain and swelling caused by carpal tunnel syndrome.
Use a wrist brace at night
The first line of defence is simply wearing a brace at night. “It doesn’t have to be tight,” she assures. “It just has to keep the wrist out of the flexed position, and it can be really helpful.” She adds that you don’t need to pick up a pricey, specially made brace. In fact, you can easily find one on Amazon. One option: FEATOL Wrist Brace for Carpal Tunnel.
Prop your phone up
People often exacerbate carpal tunnel pain by holding their phone in an awkward position at night while they’re in bed, she says. “I recommend getting something to prop up your phone instead—they make these little triangles out of foam that you can set your phone on so you’re not placing your hand in an awkward position.”
Ask about steroid injections
If you’re in a lot of pain, steroid injections can settle down the nerve as well as the inflammation inside the joint, she notes. “These injections deliver the medication right where it needs to be.” Talk to your doctor to learn if this treatment may be an option for you.
Consider surgery
If you’re in extreme pain, you may want to get X-rays as well as nerve conduction studies (NCS) and electromyography (EMG). “These are tests a hand surgeon might recommend to confirm a diagnosis and give you an idea if surgery is necessary,” she says.
What does carpal tunnel surgery entail? “We take the covering that sits on top of the nerve and open it up. It’s actually one of my favourite surgeries to do, because you watch the blood flow back into the nerve and expand into the space you have provided—the nerve is so much happier.”
The great news is that after surgery, relief is almost immediate. “Patients may feel pain from the incision itself, but it’s a very quick recovery,” she assures. “I think that’s why I like hand surgery so much—we can do these minor interventions and have a huge impact on patients’ quality of life.”
How to ease wrist arthritis pain
Here, Dr. Nellans’ tips to tame arthritis flare-ups that affect the wrist joint quickly:-
Take over-the-counter meds
Anti-inflammatory medications like Aleve and Motrin are shown to ease arthritis aches. But it’s important to note that they do not alleviate the nerve pain associated with carpal tunnel, she reveals. Consult your physician before embarking on any new treatment plan.
Soothe aches with ice and heat
For an acute injury, ice is important in the short term. But over the long haul, heat helps bring better blood flow into the area, Dr. Nellans explains. “If it feels good to put ice on aching joints because your hands are sore at the end of a long day, do that. But if they feel really stiff in the mornings, heat can help joints become a little more flexible.”
Pick up ergonomic tools
What works for both conditions?
Along with enjoying an anti-inflammatory Mediterranean diet—full of veggies, legumes, fruits, nuts and fish—Dr. Fried recommends soothing both carpal tunnel and arthritis pain with the over-the-counter gel Voltaren. “It really calms painful inflammation.” What could be better than a doctor’s endorsement? “My son is a stuntman in Hollywood, and he swears by it.”
https://www.womansworld.com/wellness/carpal-tunnel-vs-arthritis-symptoms-and-pain-relief-tips
No comments:
Post a Comment