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Physical Wellness
Arms and Wrists
Arm
and Wrist Problems
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The following are repetitive stress injuries in
the arms and wrists:
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS)
- Compression of the median nerve at the level
of the carpal tunnel. This tunnel is formed at the wrist by the
transverse ligament over the carpal bones in the hand.
Occurs with the overuse of your digits and poor hand
position when typing.
Symptoms include numbness
and a sensation akin to having a limb fall asleep.
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What happens?
Your fingers and hands begin to lose a regular supply of oxygen
through the contraction of muscles after typing for extended periods. The
contractions restrict blood flow through the capillaries, eventually
cutting off all oxygen to the working cells. Your cells begin to respire
anaerobically (without oxygen) and start to produce lactic acid and other
by-products that eventually, when accumulated in significant amounts,
start to cause pain in your muscles. A sort of chain reaction occurs: the
area where your cells have lost oxygen induces neighboring cells and areas
to start contracting, which in turn forces them into anaerobic
respiration. The cycle continues until you stop exercising those muscle
cells. Your muscles swell and pinch the nerves in your hands and fingers.
Radial Tunnel Syndrome
- Compression or entrapment of the radial nerve at the outside of the
elbow.
- Frequently caused by repetitive wrist and finger extension or
turning of the forearm.
- Symptoms can occur at the elbow where the nerve is compressed or
near the base of thumb, or anywhere in between. Wrist weakness is a
common symptom.
Cubital Tunnel Syndrome
- Ulnar nerve is compressed or entrapped at the inside of the elbow.
- Repetitive bending of the elbow, or resting your elbow on a hard
surface are common causes of this nerve injury.
- Common symptoms include numbness or tingling up and down the inside
of your arm with tingling into the ring and little fingers. The ulnar
nerve can also be compressed at Guyon’s canal in the wrist, but this
is less common.
Tendinitis
Tendons attach muscle to bone and are connective tissues that contain
little stretch or rebound. The tendons of the wrist and hand are very
small and are at high risk for injury when overused.
- Flexor and extensor tendons of the fingers, thumb, forearm, elbow or
shoulder become inflamed.
- If stressed beyond their strength by overuse or maintaining a static
or prolonged position, they can get tiny tears in them. Friction from
overuse can also cause inflammation.
- Symptoms range from specific achiness, stiffness, tightness and
burning sensations to a deep, non-specific pain. Grasp can be impaired
to the point when you have difficulty holding on to objects.
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