Carpel Tunnel Syndrome Physiotherapy

Carpel Tunnel Syndrome is defined as tenosynovitis of tendons of flexor digitorum superficialis and profundus in a common sheath ,tendons of flexor pollicis longus in other sheath and the median nerve.

Causes of Carpel Tunnel Syndrome :

1.Inflammatory : eg.Rheumatic arthritis.

2. Endocrine: hyroidism,diabetes,menopause,preganancy, etc.

3. Metabolic: gout.

4. Local: by crowding of space e.g. malunited Colles fracture, ganglion in carpal region osteoarthritis of carpal bones, wrist contusion, hematoma

Carpel Tunnel Syndrome Clinical Features

Stage 1. – Pain usually complaint characterize discomfort in hand history of morning stiffness in hand.

Stage 2.- Symptoms of tingling and numbness, pain, paraesthesia etc. are localized to areas supplied by median nerve.

Stage 3. – Patient complains of clumsiness in hand and impairment of digital function.etc.

Stage 4. – There is sensory loss in median nerve distribution area and obvious wasting of thenar muscles.

Carpel Tunnel Syndrome Physiotherapy Measures
  • Thermotherapy: using ultrasound, SWD to relive pain.
  • Exercises: Gentle relaxed passive movements, active assisted and active movements of wrist and fingers area indicated
  • Splints: Carpal tunnel splint helps.