Many people immediately think of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) when experiencing hand and wrist pain, but it’s not always the main culprit. One commonly misdiagnosed condition is ESS, which can lead to improper treatment. Let’s explore these often-misunderstood conditions further.
Chronic low-grade inflammation has been linked to some cancers and heart diseases. With regard to the hand and wrist, tendonitis is a frequent issue. This condition occurs when tendons, which connect muscles and bones, become inflamed. Tendonitis can affect the flexor tendons, which bend the fingers, or the extensor tendons, which straighten them.
Tendonitis symptoms, like those of CTS, include pain, tenderness, and weakness, often worsening with repetitive hand and wrist movements. However, tendonitis pain is usually localized to the tendon itself. For example, De Quervain’s tenosynovitis, a type of tendonitis, targets the tendons at the base of the thumb, causing severe 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.
Age can also affect how these conditions present themselves. CTS often disrupts sleep with nighttime numbness and tingling, while tendonitis might cause persistent daytime pain that occasionally disturbs sleep.
Cervical radiculopathy might sound complex, yet it simply involves compressed nerves in the neck, leading to issues down the arm and into the hand. When a herniated disc or bone spurs pinch a nerve root, it can result in a cascade of pain, numbness, and weakness from the neck down the arm.
Although cervical radiculopathy can mimic CTS by causing hand pain, numbness, or weakness, it usually follows the nerve path along the arm and may also include neck pain or shoulder weakness, which are not typical of CTS.
For anyone experiencing persistent hand or wrist pain, it’s crucial to see a doctor for an accurate diagnosis. They will review your medical history, perform an examination, and may order tests like X-rays or nerve conduction studies to determine the real cause of your symptoms. This comprehensive evaluation ensures you receive the right treatment for your specific condition, helping identify the true source of your hand and wrist pain beyond just blaming CTS.
