Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Linked To Spinal Nerve Root Irritation
The body is one, large, interconnected organism and damage to one area can impact another. A recent study showed that 90% of all carpal tunnel syndrome patients were found to have nerve root irritation in their cervical spine, a condition known as double crush syndrome.
Car accidents can cause carpal tunnel syndrome either immediately after impact (traumatic carpal tunnel syndrome) or as a result of healing. The force of the impact causes trauma to the wrist and hand area, including the carpal tunnel, where ligaments, nerves, and bones all meet. This trauma can damage ligaments around the median nerve which runs through the carpal tunnel. As the tissues heal, scar tissue forms in the carpal tunnel compressing the median nerve and leading to CTS symptoms.
Double crush syndrome, on the other hand, is a medical condition that also occurs commonly after a car accident. A nerve can become compressed in multiple places at the same time along its path. This often happens when a vehicle is rear-ended at great force. This results in a sudden jerk that damages the neck and spinal cord. The pressure at one site weakens the nerve rendering it vulnerable to compression at another site.
Understanding carpal tunnel syndrome
You can develop carpal tunnel syndrome from a car accident. When we think about carpal tunnel syndrome, it generally reminds us of repetitive stress injuries. The numbness, tingling, pain, and other symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome are associated with jobs like typing or other repetitive hand motions.
However, carpal tunnel syndrome can also be caused by traumatic injury such as a car accident. Any injury that impinges the median nerve as it passes through the carpal tunnel can lead to the development of CTS.
In an event like a car accident, tendons and ligaments surrounding the median nerve can be damaged. As they heal, scar tissue forms around them. This scar tissue can impinge on the median nerve leading to all the same symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome. Because the condition is caused by the healing process, the onset of traumatic carpal tunnel syndrome is often delayed, sometimes for quite awhile.
Further, according to the aforementioned study, injuries to the cervical spine are often correlated to carpal tunnel syndrome. 90% of patients with CTS showed nerve root irritation to their cervical spine. In other words, cervical spine injury can increase your risk of developing carpal tunnel syndrome or double crush syndrome.
Talk to a Jacksonville, FL Car Accident Lawyer Today
If you’ve recently been in a car accident, it’s important to understand that you will only get one chance to settle your case. Legal representation matters. You need an attorney who understands the medical implications of your injuries and can successfully anticipate other injuries you might suffer down the road. Gillette Law has been representing the interests of injured clients for decades and can help you negotiate a fair settlement to your claim. Call our Jacksonville personal injury lawyers today to learn more.
