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Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Compensation Claims
What is carpal tunnel syndrome?
This syndrome is a set of symptoms caused by compression (squashing) of the
median nerve in the carpal tunnel. About 1 in 1000 people develops this syndrome
each year. Most cases occur in people in their 40's and 50's, but it can
occur at any age. It is also common during pregnancy. Women are affected
2-3 times more often than men.
What are the symptoms of carpal
tunnel syndrome?
- Pins and needles. This is tingling or burning in part or all
of the shaded area shown above. The index and middle fingers are usually
first to be affected.
- Pain or aching in the same fingers may then develop.
The pain may travel up the forearm.
- Numbness of the same finger(s), or in part of the
palm, may develop if things become worse.
- Weakness of some muscles in the fingers and/or thumb
occurs in severe cases. This may cause poor grip, clumsiness, and eventually
lead to wasting of the muscles at the base of the thumb.
Symptoms vary from mild to severe depending on how 'squashed' the median nerve becomes. One or both hands may be affected. Symptoms tend to come and go at first, often after you use the hand. Typically, symptoms are worse at night and may wake you up. The symptoms may be eased for a while by raising the hand up or hanging it down. 'Flicking' the wrist may also give relief. Symptoms persist all the time if the condition becomes severe.
What causes carpal tunnel syndrome?
- Unknown. In most cases it is not clear why it occurs. It is
thought that some inflammation develops in a tendon going through the
carpal tunnel which causes swelling. There is little space to expand in
the narrow carpal tunnel, and this may lead to pressure on the nearby
median nerve. Tendon inflammation can occur if you over-use your hand.
Carpal tunnel syndrome is more common in manual workers, especially if
you have a job where you use a lot of wrist movement such as scrubbing
or wringing.
- Bone or arthritic conditions of the wrist such as
rheumatoid arthritis or wrist fractures may lead to carpal tunnel syndrome.
- Various other conditions are associated with carpal
tunnel syndrome. For example: pregnancy, obesity, an underactive thyroid,
diabetes, the menopause, other rare medical illnesses, and a side effect
of some medicines. Some of these conditions cause water retention (oedema)
which may affect the wrist and cause carpal tunnel syndrome.
- Rare causes include cysts, growths, and swellings
coming from the tendons or blood vessels passing through the carpal tunnel.
What are the treatments for carpal tunnel syndrome?
General
Try not to over-use your wrist by squeezing, gripping, wringing, etc. If you
are overweight, losing some weight may help. Painkillers may be prescribed
to ease the pain. If the condition is part of a more general medical condition
(such as arthritis) then treatment of that condition may help.
Non-surgical options
- Not treating is an option, particularly if symptoms are mild.
In some people symptoms go over time without treatment. In up to 1 in
3 cases the symptoms go without treatment within 6 months. (In about 2
in 3 cases that develop during pregnancy the symptoms go after the baby
is born.) The situation can be reviewed if symptoms get worse.
- A steroid injection into, or near to, the carpal tunnel
is an option. Steroids reduce inflammation. The steroid is combined with
a local anaesthetic to make the injection painless. One study found that
a single injection eased symptoms in about 3 in 4 cases. Symptoms returned
in some people but about half of the treated people were still free of
symptoms a year later. Other studies report variable success rates with
a steroid injection.
- Steroid tablets reduce inflammation and are likely
to ease symptoms. A short course of tablets may be an option. However,
long-term steroid tablets are not advised as side-effects are likely
to develop. Therefore, if symptoms return after a course of steroids
then surgery should be considered.
- A splint to keep the wrist in a fixed position and
'rested' may cure the problem. It is worn for a few weeks (especially
at night).
- Ultrasound treatment has been reported to be quite
successful in some cases. It is not clear how this works, but it may
help to reduce inflammation. Ultrasound treatment is painless. However,
it requires 20 or more treatment sessions and it may not be available
in your area.
Surgery
A small operation can cut the ligament over the front of the wrist and ease
the pressure in the carpal tunnel. This usually gives a permanent cure. It
is usually done under local anaesthetic. You will not be able to use your
hand for work for a few weeks after the operation. A small scar on the front
of the wrist will remain. The risk of complications from this commonly performed
operation is very low.
For compensation and injury advice from a qualified claim solicitor please complete 'industrial disease claim assessment form'.
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