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Ask the Therapist?

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by Carol Pietromonaco PT. - Physical Therapy Plus

Q. I am six months pregnant and am having symptoms of numbness and tingling in both my hands and seem to keep dropping things. My friend told me it might be Carpal Tunnel Syndrome as a result of pregnancy. Could this be true?

In Fact, you can sometimes develop Carpal Tunnel Syndrome when you are pregnant.  Many nerves that help us to function normally control our hand movements. These muscles and nerves help us hold a glass of water, or use a knife and fork. One of the important nerves is the median nerve that passes through a tunnel at the wrist called the Carpal Tunnel. If there is any swelling or extra pressure in this tunnel the median nerve gets “entrapped” or pinched. This can cause numbness, tingling, and burning usually in the thumb, index and middle finger but sometimes up to the forearm and shoulder. You can also get to the point where there is weakness in the hands and you have difficulty holding onto objects.

Research indicates that many people develop Carpal Tunnel symptoms without any known cause. Women are three times more likely to develop Carpal Tunnel than men, possibly due to a smaller Carpal Tunnel.  Other metabolic disorders such as diabetes can increase the risk of developing Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. The Carpal Tunnel is also put under stress with jobs that involve repetitive assembly work or data entry. Hobbies such as needlepoint can add further stress to what might be an already inflamed Carpal Tunnel. During Pregnancy the additional blood volume and fluid retention can cause narrowing of this canal.

If you are experiencing the symptom of Carpal tunnel Syndrome you should consult with your doctor. Your doctor will run some tests that will help determine the extent of the median nerve damage and discuss treatment options. If you are not pregnant, use of anti-inflammation drugs may be helpful. Night splints are also useful to keep the wrists and hand in a neutral position. Physical therapy can be helpful if there is loss of joint or soft tissue flexibility at the wrist and hand. In pregnant women the condition usually resolves after delivery. When symptoms are severe enough often surgery is the only option.  There are, however, different surgical techniques available to relieve pressure in the Carpal Tunnel. Sometimes pressure over the Carpal Tunnel can be surgically released with a small incision using an endoscope. This can dramatically reduce the post-surgical healing time. Consult with your doctor about the best course of action. Do not wait until the symptoms are severe as you could cause permanent nerve damage in your hand.

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