The anatomy of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Once one or more tendons in the hand/wrist are injured it becomes very difficult to recover 100%. It is almost impossible to keep from re-straining them because it can be extremely difficult to keep from stressing the joint (even when sleeping). It's just not possible to stop everything and rest your wrists and hands properly. Everyone has demands that make them keep going and in the process we increase the carpal injury further, leading to increased swelling, lack of blood flow, loss of feeling and even loss of finger control. What ends up happening is we slowly give up the ability to use the wrist and hands, slowly eradicating the active life we once led.

If you have a carpal tunnel injury, it's very important to heal it quickly and completely. If you don't, it may plague you forever. As Carpal Tunnel sufferers will tell you, a month of rest and proper therapy is much better than a lifetime of debilitating pain. If you have ever spoken with past Carpal Tunnel sufferers who have had surgery, you know you need to start an active CTS treatment plan and avoid surgery!

So, even though your Carpal Tunnel can be treated, you aren't getting the therapy you need. With ultrasound from MendMeShop you can get that Ultrasound Therapy in your own home and give your Tarsal Tunnel the treatment it needs to properly heal.

What is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) is the name for a group of problems that includes swelling, pain, tingling, and loss of strength in your wrist and hand. It occurs when the median nerve, which runs from the forearm into the hand, becomes compressed or squeezed at the wrist. It is similar to Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome, which occurs in your ankle, however Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome is far less common. The carpal tunnel is a space in the wrist surrounded by wrist bones and by a rigid ligament that links the bones together. The median nerve runs through the carpal tunnel, a canal in the wrist that is formed by a series of small bones called the Metacarpals on three sides, and a fibrous sheath called the flexor retinaculum which acts as a pulley for the forearm flexors on the other. There are nine tendons of the hand that also pass through this canal. The median nerve can be compressed in one of a few ways,

be by swelling of the contents of the canal,
soft tissue swelling in and around the tunnel,
by direct pressure from part of a broken or dislocated bone. Nearly half of CTS sufferers have symptoms in both hands.

Click here to view a breakdown of Carpal Tunnel Symptoms

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Anatomy:

The top of the Carpal tunnel is formed by 8 carpal bones that form 2 rows and 4 articulations or joints. The proximal row of Carpal bones (scaphoid, lunate, triquetrum, pisiform) and the distal row of carpal bones (trapezium, trapezoid, capitate, hamate) create the top of the tunnel. These bones are small and glide against each other so that we can move our wrist in different directions. The other side of the carpal tunnel is formed by the flexor retinaculum which forms a retinacular bridge over the carpal tunnel. Its main function is to protect the contained tendon without a significant mechanical action in supporting the transverse carpal arch that acts as a pulley for the wrist flexor ligaments when tension is applied to them by contraction of the forearm flexor muscles.

Inside the Carpal Tunnel there is nine tendons that when pulled flex the fingers of the hand. Flexor digitorum superficialis has 4 tendons that pass through the carpal tunnel and insert on the middle phalanx (middle bone of the finger) of digits 2-5 (all fingers but the thumb). Flexor digitorum profundus has 4 tendons that pass through the carpal tunnel and insert on the middle phalanx (middle bone of the fingers) of digits 2-5 (all fingers but the thumb). Flexor pollicis longus has 1 tendon that passes through the carpal tunnel and inserts in the distal phalanx (bone at the tip of the thumb). When inflammation occurs in the onset of tendenosis with any of these tendons the median nerve can become compressed then numbness, muscle weakness and tingling can occur to thumb, index finger, middle finger and ring finger.

Do you have more questions?

If you have any questions regarding carpal tunnel syndrome, treatment or our therapeutic products please contact a MendMeShop Advisor for assistance. You can be assured all your questions will be answered in a thorough and courteous manner by our trained staff.

Within North America call toll free1-866-237-9608

International Callers 705-445-3505

Email us at service@mendmeshop.com.

All emails will be answered promptly during regular business hours.

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Letters From Our Customers:

I am a Registered Nurse who works straight night shifts and I have had chronic neck, bilateral shoulder and arm pain intermittently for 3 years. I have seen a chiropractor, a neurologist, and physical therapist. I have tingling and numbness in my arms and hands, especially when I push on the pressure points near my elbows. In fact, most or all of the pressure point in my neck, shoulders, and arms hurt when pressed/massaged. The neurologist said it is probably cervical strain, the nerve conduction test was negative. I just saw my primary physician today and she has referred me back to the neurologist to redo the nerve test because I am starting to drop things. I have tried NSAIDs, massage, tens, heating packs, ice packs, stretching exercises, and traction. The only treatment that took the pain and numbness away instantly and thorougly has been MendMeShop Ultrasound massage therapy.

- Cheri, USA

I treated my left hand/wrist several times for carpal tunnel syndrome according to instructions. After suffering for months with this condition with literally no use of my left hand, it is now at least 80-90% better than it was. I can now pick things up and bend my hand backwards without pain or spasm up my forearm. I am impressed. Thanks for a great product.

- Robert Molzahn

Thank you you for your great customer service. Your product is excellent and your quick response to my requests is outstanding. I hope other people take advantage of your ultrasound since it compliments physical therapy and gives quicker results.

- Kathryn Hallock

I have been treating multiple areas on my body with the ultrasound for just 9 days. The device is being used to treat both of my feet, calf muscles, hamstring, shoulder, neck, lower back, and on my right hand/wrist for Carpal Tunnel (which I have suffered from for around 28 years).
I couldn't be happier with the MendMeShop ultrasound. I have always wanted to purchase a home ultrasound device but could not find one in my area. I was already seeing a therapist and she was using ultrasound, but that was ending in 6 weeks.
I was able to find out about your company and I decided to go ahead with a purchase.
Not long after, I was talking to my therapist about your ultrasound device. She was intrigued and talked to her boss about it, who then went ahead and purchased his own.

- Patricia Earnest, Oregon