A common misconception about Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) is that it’s only acquired through repetitive stress. While it’s commonly true, you need to know that it’s the only cause. If you recently were involved in a car accident and you suspect that you have CTS, then you may be surprised to find that you have it because it can come from any direct injury to your hands or wrist. CTS due to car accidents is referred to as acute or traumatic carpal tunnel syndrome.
What Is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?
CTS is a condition that causes numbness, pain, and tingling in the hand and arm. It typically occurs when the median nerve in the hand is compressed or squeezed through the wrist. The condition can worsen over time in most patients who develop CTS, which is why early diagnosis and treatment are much needed to mitigate long-term effects.
After a car accident, developing CTS may be due to inflammations in the muscles, nerves, and tendons from the damage. In turn, this causes the median nerve to swell or compress. If the victim has diabetes, lupus, and is pregnant, or obese, it could increase their chances of developing CTS. Age, smoking history, and menopause are also risk factors for car accident victims.
Symptoms of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome:
CTS symptoms may affect your daily function because of the effects on your median nerve. Here are some of the major symptoms that you may experience:
- Tingling
- Itching
- Pain
- Numbness
- Hand weakness
- Reduced grip strength
- The tendency to drop things
One of the significant drawbacks of CTS after a car accident is that it may take a while to manifest. At the same time, however, there are cases when its symptoms are immediately apparent. Should you experience any of these symptoms and you suspect you have CTS, it’s best to seek medical attention immediately.
CTS Effects
CTS can significantly affect one’s quality of life. As mentioned, it can worsen over time if left untreated. Many patients report feelings of restlessness and difficulties sleeping as the symptoms worsen at night. For some, daily tasks like brushing teeth or combing hair may be challenging to perform because of the reduced grip strength or numbness. In severe cases where patients are even restricted from performing everyday activities, a doctor may suggest using aggressive treatments.
CTS Treatments
The treatments vary based on the severity of the injuries. Here are some of the most common treatments for CTS:
- Anti-inflammatory medications
- Pain relief medications
- Wrist splinting
- Kinesio taping
- Physical Therapy
- Cold packs
- Ultrasound Therapy
- Acupuncture
CTS may not seem like a serious medical condition, but its treatments and medications can be very costly. Because of this, it can greatly affect your finances. Hence, if your CTS is due to a car accident and you have the evidence to claim it, you can file a claim. This will help you with covering all your medical expenses. If you do not know how to deal will all the paperwork that is involved in making a claim, consider hiring a lawyer to help you throughout the process.
If you are looking for an auto accident chiropractor in Charlotte, North Carolina, get in touch with us today to see how we can help. Tebby Chiropractic and Sports Medicine Clinic, 704-541-7111.
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