Doctors Said, Symptoms Of Disorders In The Carpal Canal Indicated By Numbing Thumb

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JAKARTA - Doctors say that disorders of the carpal canal are characterized by numbness or tingling in the thumb which can also be accompanied by a stinging, stabbing, burning feeling in the index and middle fingers and a half or all of the ring fingers.

According to an orthopedic surgeon who specializes in hand & microsurgery consultants at the Orthopedic Center of Pondok Indah Hospital – Bintaro Jaya dr Oryza Satria, Sp.OT (K), the carpal canal contains the flexor tendons, tendon sheaths, and nerves that regulate movement and feeling in the thumb, index finger, middle finger, and half of the ring finger.

"Although it is formed from a solid structure and is fixed, it does not mean that this canal is free from disturbances," said Oryza as quoted by Antara, Monday.

In general, symptoms due to problems with the carpal canal that lead to Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) are divided into three stages. In the early stages, patients will often wake up at night feeling numbness, tingling, stinging, burning, and a feeling of 'fullness' or swelling in the hands.

"Even though there is no swelling. Usually, the pain will go away after shaking the hand," said Oryza.

In the second stage, numbness or tingling occurs during the day or throughout the day, especially when doing activities that involve the wrist. At this stage, the strength of the hand can be reduced so that the object being held can fall.

If it continues, the patient will experience persistent numbness and weakness of the thumb due to thinning of muscle tissue (atrophy).

Oryza advised those with early symptoms such as those who had immediately consulted a specialist orthopedic surgeon, consultant hand, and microsurgery.

According to him, CTS that has reached an advanced level requires extra treatment and a longer healing time. The outcome of the action later is also more difficult to predict, so there is still a possibility that the part of the hand affected by CTS will not fully return to its original shape after surgery.

The doctor will usually perform an analysis based on the complaints submitted by the patient and perform a physical examination. Patients may also be referred for additional investigations to determine the location, extent, and cause of CTS.

Oryza said, one of the causes of CTS is an increase in pressure from within the carpal canal caused by changes in the fluid balance in the body.

For example, pregnant women, menopausal women, using oral contraceptives, people with obesity, kidney failure patients, hypothyroidism, heart failure patients, having tumors or cysts, broken bones (fractures) in the wrist, joint inflammation (arthritis), changes in the shape of the hand. (deformity) due to fracture, joint dislocation (dislocation), or significant internal bleeding.

In addition, it can also be caused by increased pressure from outside the carpal canal due to wearing gloves that are too narrow. In addition, there is a change in the contour of the carpal canal which causes a change in the volume of the carpal canal.

This condition can occur because the wrist is used to bend and lift repeatedly and for a long time. Typing or using the mouse is also included in the type of activity in question.

Another risk factor that can cause CTS is due to impaired nerve function that can occur as a result of diabetes, alcohol consumption, vitamin deficiency, or exposure to toxins.