Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Carpal tunnel syndrome is a nerve disorder that causes discomfort in the hands and wrists of millions of people. While painful, the condition is generally treatable—and preventable. The Web sites in this guide can help you learn what can be done to correct carpal tunnel syndrome and protect yourself from developing the condition.
Expand All Guide SectionsWhat is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?
Use this section to learn more about what carpal tunnel syndrome is and what factors place a person at risk for developing this problem.
Dulcinea's Insight
- Carpal tunnel syndrome is considered a repetitive motion injury. Consider using this phrase as a search term when researching carpal tunnel syndrome.
Dulcinea's Picks
For an overview …
The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
offers an overview of carpal tunnel syndrome and its causes. Click on a question to go straight to the answers you need.
The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons
provides a useful illustration of the hand that can be beneficial in understanding how carpal tunnel syndrome occurs.
For risk factors …
The Cleveland Clinic
presents an interactive quiz answering questions about the causes of carpal tunnel syndrome, risk factors for the condition and outcomes after surgery.
The National Women’s Health
Information Center offers information on why women are more likely to develop carpal tunnel syndrome than men.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Symptoms and Diagnosis
According to the American College of Rheumatology, the public’s familiarity with carpal tunnel syndrome often causes many people to wrongly attribute pain in their hands to this condition. The Web sites in this section can help you understand the causes, symptoms and diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome more precisely.
Dulcinea's Insight
- If you’d prefer paper copies of material about carpal tunnel syndrome, the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS) mails information packets to people who request them.
Dulcinea's Picks
For symptoms …
MSN Health & Fitness
discusses some of the symptoms of carpal tunnel and elaborates on the potential connections between this condition and fibromyalgia.
WebMD
elaborates on the symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome and explains when to see a physician if you’re exhibiting symptoms.
For diagnosis …
The American College of Rheumatology
offers information on how carpal tunnel syndrome is diagnosed, and where to find a rheumatologist who may be able to help.
The New York Times Health Guide
on carpal tunnel syndrome lists several questions to ask your doctor as you seek help determining whether you have carpal tunnel syndrome.
Who knew?
Mayo Clinic
explains that carpal tunnel syndrome isn’t a condition that appeared with the onset of the technology age; rather, it’s been around since the beginning of the 20th century.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Treatment and Prevention
The Web sites in this section contain resources that explain the methods used to treat and prevent carpal tunnel syndrome.
Dulcinea's Insight
- Message boards and online support groups can provide helpful opportunities to find support and additional information about carpal tunnel syndrome. Remember, however, to take any advice you receive with a grain of salt as anyone (qualified or not) can generally post on these sites.
- See the findingDulcinea Health Web Guide for help finding credible health information online.
Dulcinea's Picks
For surgery information …
WebMD
explains the surgical options available to treat a person with carpal tunnel syndrome.
The American Association of Neurological Surgeons
discusses much of the same information about carpal tunnel syndrome that you’ll find at many other Web sites, but also adds information about when surgery for this condition is necessary and how recovery after surgery could proceed.
For additional treatment options …
The University of Maryland Medical Center
addresses some of the treatment options available for carpal tunnel syndrome, including a good discussion of alternative remedies.
ClinicalTrials.gov
, a clearinghouse operated by the U.S. National Institutes of Health, provides a list of clinical trials currently underway to research carpal tunnel syndrome. To learn more about clinical trials, speak to your doctor, and read the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's guide.
For prevention information …
The New York Times Health Guide
covers information individuals need to prevent carpal tunnel syndrome, and how companies can help their workers avoid the problem.
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