CARPAL TUNNEL SYNDROME IN PREGNANCY: YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED

When you are pregnant you may develop carpal tunnel syndrome, which is a condition that affects the wrist and hands.

It is very common and affects around 60% of all pregnant women to some extent. It is relatively harmless but can cause pain and discomfort.

To help you to understand the condition – and what you can do about it – here is your guide to carpal tunnel syndrome in pregnancy.

What is carpal tunnel syndrome?

Carpal tunnel syndrome, sometimes simply known as CTS, is a condition that leads to problems in your wrists and hands, such as tingling, pain and numbness. In turn, this can make it difficult to lift and hold things.

What causes carpal tunnel syndrome?

Carpal tunnel syndrome occurs when there is increased pressure on the median nerve, which is in the wrist and controls feeling in your thumb and all your fingers, except your little finger. The median nerve lies within the carpal tunnel, which is a miniature tube within your wrist.

 Carpal tunnel syndrome is often suffered by people who do jobs that require lots of repetitive hand and finger actions, like hammering or typing. Wrist fractures, arthritic diseases, and hereditary factors can all put you at risk from carpal tunnel syndrome – as can pregnancy.

Why is pregnancy linked to carpal tunnel syndrome?

When you’re pregnant, your body holds more water than it would do normally. And this extra fluid often gathers in the extremities of your body, such as your ankles, hands and wrists. This fluid build-up in the tissues of the hand and wrist can put pressure on your median nerve and lead to carpal tunnel syndrome. CTS is more common in the third trimester of pregnancy (week 27 through to birth).

What are the symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome in pregnancy?

These are some of the symptoms associated with CTS:

• You feel a pain or ache in your fingers, hand or arm
• You feel a tingling sensation or have pins and needles
• Your hands feel numb
• You have difficulty gripping things, or your thumb feels weak

The severity of these symptoms differs between people and can range from mild to very painful. Also, they can occur in one or both hands. The symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome are usually worse at night.

Is there a treatment for carpal tunnel syndrome in pregnancy?

If you suffer from carpal tunnel syndrome in pregnancy there are a few things you can do to treat the condition yourself and reduce the symptoms:

Rest

Try and rest your hands whenever you can, ideally by propping them up on a pillow or cushion. If possible, avoid any tasks which worsen the symptoms. Try to reduce any repetitive actions, such as wringing, excessive squeezing or gripping.

Ice

Running your wrist under a cold tap, or applying an ice pack may help to relieve pain. It may also help to alternate cold and warmth, such as by following an ice pack by wrapping something warm around your wrist.  You can try this three or four times each day.

Exercises

Although it’s important to rest your wrist, specific exercises can also help-

• Keeping your fingers straight bend your wrist forwards and backwards. Repeat this ten times.
• Make a fist then straighten your fingers. Repeat this ten times.
• Touch each finger one at a time with your thumb, making an ‘O’ shape.

Wearing a wrist splint

You can buy these from pharmacies and you wear it on your hand to keep your wrist straight, which then helps to relieve pressure on the median nerve. You should put on a wrist splint at night and wear it while you sleep, but it can take a few weeks before it has an effect.

Will carpal tunnel syndrome stop after I give birth?

It’s more than likely that the symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome will disappear within a few weeks of your baby being born, as fluid levels in your body return to normal.

Should I see a doctor about carpal tunnel syndrome?

If the symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome don’t disappear after you give birth, or are getting worse, then you should speak to your doctor or physiotherapist. They will first try and diagnose CTS by asking you questions and examining your hand. If symptoms persist after the birth it is likely you will be sent for nerve conduction tests to assess the severity of any pressure on the nerves of the wrist.