Carpal Tunnel Syndrome vs. Tennis Elbow vs. De Quervain Tendonitis – Do you have numbness, tingling, dull, achy pain in your hand(s) and forearm(s)? Carpal tunnel syndrome, tennis elbow, and de Quervain tendonitis are three conditions that present in similar ways; therefore, a thorough assessment must be performed. Read the details below to distinguish the characteristics among all three ailments.
- Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Carpal tunnel syndrome presents in the wrist as numbness and tingling pain that radiates in the hand(s) and forearm(s).
Causes
● The sensations occur because of the median nerve being compressed by swelling, trauma to the wrist, and cyst formation.
● This tends to occur when patients use repetitive hand movements (hairstylists, typists, mechanics, seamstresses, etc.).
o If not treated quickly, overtime, patients will lose the ability to work with small objects.
o They will have a decline in “pinch” movements, a decrease in grip strength, increase in hand weakness, and increase in dropped objects.
Symptoms
● Numbness and tingling sensations occur in the 3rd, 4th, and 5th digits of the hand(s), wrist pain is present, and neuropathic pain travels up the forearm stopping at the elbow.
Treatment
● If this is happening to you, please contact your primary care physician for an appointment as soon as possible.
● Your physician may perform the following hand and wrist assessment: Tinel test (Tapping on the media nerve).
o If you experience an increase in tingling sensations, this is a positive sign for carpal tunnel. Phalen’s maneuver (the bending of the hands with the wrist touching).
o An increase in tingling sensations during this test is a positive sign for carpal tunnel).
● The treatment plan may include NSAIDs (ibuprofen, Aleve, Advil, Naproxen, etc.), a splint to be worn at bedtime to protect your wrist, and a referral to a hand surgeon for carpal tunnel release syndrome.
References
Jennings, C., and Faust, K. (2016). OrthoInfo: Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/diseases–conditions/carpal-tunnel-syndrome/.
Love You. (2019). Carpal tunnel syndrome infographic, health concept. flat design illustration. businessman. Businessman wrist pain. [Diagram]. https://www.shutterstock.com/image-vector/carpal-tunnel-syndrome-infographic-health-concept-329727176?src=xkKizfPr_hEM0aiVIPvNAg-1-10.
- Tennis Elbow (Lateral Epicondylitis)
Tennis elbow is the inflammation of the tendons that connect the forearm muscles on the outer portion of the elbow.
Causes
● repetitive motions;
● forceful hand gripings that increases tension in the forearm muscles.
Symptoms
● If you experience pain on the outer portion of the elbow and upper forearm, then you may have tennis elbow.
Treatment
● The best treatment plan is NSAIDs and a referral from your primary care physician for physical therapy (strengthening, massages, ice, heat, and TENS unit).
References
Alila Medical Media. (2019). Tennis elbow condition labeled. [Illustration]. https://www.shutterstock.com/image-illustration/tennis-elbow-condition-labeled-228843223?src=5MuDEnuauCX5xArtKi5H9Q-1-2
Mayo Clinic. (2019). Tennis Elbow. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/tennis-elbow/symptoms-causes/syc-20351987
- De Quervain Tendonitis (A.K. A. Thumb Texting Syndrome)
Does the base of your thumb and palm ever feel sore after a long day of texting? After gripping heavy weights? After performing any form of repetitive motion that involves using your thumb(s)? Do you have tightness in your forearm(s)? If so, you may have de Quervain tendonitis.
Symptoms
● The tendons around the base of the thumb and medial side of the wrist become stiff.
Treatment
● The pain in your palm, base of the thumb and joint, and forearms can be relieved by decreasing repetitive movements, receiving hand and forearm massages, stretching the palm of the hand and forearm, and taking NSAIDs.
References
Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons. (2013). OrthoInfo: De Quervain’s Tendinosis. https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/diseases–conditions/de-quervains-tendinosis/
Ben, J.B. (2019). Hand anatomy with red highlight on wrist pain. Wrist pain may cause from muscle
strain, tendinitis, ligament sprain, arthritis, nerve entrapment or carpal tunnel syndrome disease.
medical symptom. [Image]. https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/hand-anatomy-red-highlight-on-wrist-1425546722?src=Z-iFKQPcjYZcJONVEBz8YQ-1-4