CTD, Cumulative Trauma Disorder, is a collective term for syndromes characterized by discomfort, impairment and loss of muscle strength and function. CTD may be related to a specific activity which causes pressure on or irritation of a nerve, tendon or muscle. CTD, especially Carpal Tunnel Syndrome may be of unknown origin with no specific activity causing the symptoms.
Holding static postures for long periods of time while performing an activity may cause stress on muscles which then press on nerves and inflame tissues. Mechanical stress, vibration and cold may also contribute to the onset of CTD. It is difficult to know what leads one person to develop a CTD when another person performing the same task has no symptoms. It is therefore difficult to predict what activities may affect someone before the symptoms appear.
Symptoms
The terms Cumulative Trauma Disorder (CTD), Repetitive Stress Injury (RSI) and Overuse Syndrome, all describe impairment or pain related to a certain activity or group of activities. The most frequently diagnosed CTD of the hand is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS).
The symptoms of CTS are numbness and tingling in the thumb, forefinger and long finger of the hand. In advanced CTS, there may be weakness in the hand and a loss of muscle strength, especially in the small muscles of the thumb.
Other CTD’s in the arm and hand include Thoracic Outlet Syndrome (TOS) from pressure on the nerves above the collar bone; Cubital Tunnel Syndrome from pressure on the Ulnar Nerve as it passes around the elbow, and de Quervain’s Tenosynovitis, an inflammation of the tendons that straighten the thumb.
How a 3-Point Splint Can Help
For those experiencing the pain and tingling of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, the Cindy Splint and 3pp Wrist Control all provide excellent wrist support to maintain the recommended position of the carpal tunnel. The Pil-O Slip-On and Pil-O Adjustable wrist splints are an excellent support for night time rest of the affected hand and wrist. The Pil-O Elbow Splint is recommend to relieve symptoms of Cubital Tunnel Syndrome. The 3pp Ultra Spica and ThumSaver Long position the thumb to relieve symptoms of de Quervain’s Tenosynovitis.
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