Pain Relief Can Be Complicated In Advanced Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Fibrous tissues are a type of connective tissues which has high tensile strength. It contains collagenous and elastin fibers, they form the ligaments and tendons. The majority of fibrous tissue does not contain living cells and is mainly composed of polysaccharides, proteins and water. They are used in different ways and it can refer to any type of connective tissue other than adipose tissue.

The cells of the tissues are mostly fibroblasts, irregular and branched cells that secrete strong fibrous proteins as an excellent matrix. Collagen is the commonly secreted protein, which represents one fourth of all vertebrate protein. They are tough and flexible and give strength to tissues. Elastin fibers are thinner than collagen and are produced by the fibroblasts. They long cross links which gives elastin a great elasticity.

There are different types of disorders of fibrous connective tissue. Carpal tunnel syndrome is one of the disorders of fibrous connective tissue. Pain relief can be complicated in some cases of advanced conditions eventually warranting surgery.

Carpus is Greek word “karpos” meaning “wrist”. A band of fibrous tissues surrounds the wrist giving a support for the joint.  The tight space between this fibrous tissue and the wrist bone is called carpal tunnel. A median nerve passes through the carpal tunnel to receive the sensations from the thumb, index and middle finger of the hand.

Carpal tunnel is squeezed due to any swelling or change in the position of the tissue and this leads to irritation of the median nerve. Irritation of the median nerve results in tingling and numbness of the thumb, index and the middle fingers, leading to a condition called as “Carpal Tunnel syndrome”. Being over weight, pregnancy, hypothyroidism, arthritis, repetitive stress injuries, diabetes and trauma etc are the common conditions leading to carpal tunnel syndrome. Multiple myeloma, amyloidosis, sarcoidosis and leukemia are some of the rare diseases which causes carpal tunnel syndrome.