Wrist Pain with Radiating Pain
Do you or a family member have numbness and tingling in your hand? Does it get worse when you are typing at work or while you are driving? If that is true, there is a chance that they are suffering from carpal tunnel. Carpal tunnel is caused from increased pressure put on the median nerve as it runs through the carpal tunnel. If a patient presents with carpal tunnel like symptoms it is important to look further up the chain and make sure that there are not proximal entrapment sites causing your patients problems. Look below for some things to consider!
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Anatomy
Image via Complete Anatomy by 3D4 Medical
Special Tests
Patients with carpal tunnel often report a lessening of symptoms when they flick their wrist back and forth. They commonly will complain of symptoms when sleeping at night, have numbness and tingling in their first two fingers, and have difficulty picking up small objects. (Click image to watch 1-2 minute video)
Treatment
This technique can be to decrease entrapment of the median nerve in the carpal tunnel. Make sure to follow this treatment with neural flossing! (Click image to watch 1-2 minute video)
Therapeutic Exercise
Nerve sliders can be used to decrease neural tension. Make sure to progress your patient to neural tensioners when appropriate. This exercise can be used to decrease sensitivity and improve mobility of the median nerve. (Click image to watch 1-2 minute video)