Hand and wrist discomfort is frequently misidentified as carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), but this isn’t always the complete picture. One common condition that can be wrongly attributed to CTS is extensor subluxation syndrome (ESS), potentially leading to misguided treatment. Let’s delve deeper into these ailments.
Chronic low-level inflammation can escalate into severe health risks, including certain types of cancer and cardiovascular diseases. Tendonitis is a prevalent concern affecting the wrist and hand regions. This condition arises when tendons—the structures that connect muscles to bones—become inflamed. Inflammation can occur in the flexor tendons, which facilitate finger bending, or the extensor tendons, responsible for finger extension.
The symptoms of tendonitis can overlap with those of CTS, including pain, tenderness, and weakness, particularly during repetitive movements of the wrist and hand. However, tendonitis pain is often more concentrated, manifesting at the specific site of the affected tendon. A notable example is De Quervain’s tenosynovitis, which targets the tendons at the base of the thumb, generating considerable discomfort on the thumb-side of the wrist. On the other hand, CTS is associated with pain and numbness affecting the thumb, index, middle fingers, and part of the ring finger.
The manifestation of these symptoms can differ with age. CTS tends to produce nighttime numbness and tingling that can interfere with sleep, while the discomfort from tendonitis can be a constant presence, both day and night.
Cervical radiculopathy, despite its technical name, refers to issues stemming from compressed nerves in the cervical spine. These nerves extend into the arm and hand, and if they are pinched by a herniated disc or bony growths, they can lead to radiating pain, numbness, and weakness extending through the arm into the hand.
This condition can imitate CTS by producing sensations of pain, numbness, or weakness in the hand; however, cervical radiculopathy also includes pain that travels along the affected nerve into the arm, frequently accompanied by neck discomfort or stiffness, along with potential weakness in the shoulder or arm—symptoms that are not typical in CTS cases.
When hand or wrist pain begins to interfere with your daily activities, seeking medical advice is essential for an accurate diagnosis. A healthcare professional will assess your medical background, perform a physical examination, and may recommend diagnostic tests such as X-rays or nerve conduction studies. This comprehensive examination ensures you receive an appropriate treatment plan tailored to your condition. While CTS may often be the initial suspicion, a detailed assessment can uncover the actual source of your hand discomfort.
