Hand and wrist pain symptoms frequently get attributed to carpal tunnel syndrome, but it isn’t always the sole culprit. One of the disorders often misdiagnosed as CTS is known as ESS, which can lead to its mismanagement. Let’s explore these conditions further.
Two common issues arising from chronic low-grade inflammation are some types of cancer and heart diseases. Tendonitis, which often affects the wrist and hand, occurs when tendons connecting muscles and bones become swollen. This inflammation can affect the tendons that bend your fingers, known as flexor tendons, or those that straighten them, known as extensor tendons.
Tendonitis shares some symptoms with CTS, such as pain, tenderness, and weakness, especially during repetitive wrist and hand activities. However, the main difference lies in the location and spread of pain. Tendonitis pain is usually concentrated at the site of the inflamed tendon. For example, De Quervain’s tenosynovitis affects the tendons at the base of the thumb, causing pain on the thumb side of the wrist. In contrast, CTS typically causes pain and numbness in the thumb, index, middle, and part of the ring finger.
The symptoms of the diseases also vary with age. CTS often causes numbness and tingling at night, disrupting sleep, whereas tendonitis pain can persist throughout the day and even wake you up.
Cervical radiculopathy might sound daunting, but it simply means there’s compression on the neck nerves, causing issues. The neck or cervical spine has nerves that reach down to the arm and hand. A herniated disc, bone spurs, or similar problems might cause nerve compression, leading to pain, numbness, and weakness extending to the arm and hand.
Like CTS, cervical radiculopathy can cause hand pain, numbness, or weakness, but the pain travels along the affected nerve up to the arm, and you may experience neck pain or stiffness, which isn’t typical in CTS.
If hand or wrist pain is interfering with your life, it’s crucial to see a doctor for a proper diagnosis. They’ll need your medical history and may conduct physical examinations or tests like an X-ray or nerve conduction tests. This thorough evaluation helps ensure appropriate treatment is given for your specific condition. Thus, although CTS is often presumed the issue, a detailed assessment can uncover the true cause of your hand pain.
