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Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Cause May Be Found

Posted on: Friday, 17 November 2006, 12:00 CST

Researchers at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., said they may have found the cause of carpal tunnel syndrome, a painful wrist condition.

If their findings are confirmed, the researchers it could be possible to detect and treat early damage before the condition develops, WebMD.com said Friday.

Using powerful microscopes, researchers found several layers of tissues connected to the tendons in the carpal tunnel. As the tendon slides through the carpal tunnel, the connections pull these parallel tissues along with it.

When examining the carpal tunnel syndrome patients, the researchers found connective tissue appeared damaged, causing bulky fibers and scar tissue. Researchers said their findings suggested that moving fingers violently or repeatedly in different directions may shave connective tissues in the tunnel, leading to carpal tunnel syndrome.

The carpal tunnel is a narrow passage through the wrist's bones and ligaments that protects the main nerve to the hand and tendons that bend fingers, WebMD.com said. In carpal tunnel syndrome, pressure presses on the nerve. The pressure causes pain that can worsen over time, weakness, numbness in the hand and wrist and sometimes numbness that shoots up the arm.

Source: United Press International

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