Hands play a necessary role in practically all our actions: from embracing our nearest and dearest to doing the work, preparing food, writing, etc. Therefore, any issue in your hand, even minor, could bring a lot of limitations. Any pain, tingling sensations or stiffness in the hands may not only be extremely uncomfortable but also enough to make you feel very dependent.
Unfortunately, such unpleasant symptoms usually resemble circumstantial weakness or strain. But they deserve your keen attention. It could be a call of a severe disease. Two medical conditions regarding hands that exhibit similar symptoms are Arthritis and Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. The result may seem alike for the layperson, but there are two very different causes of these illnesses inside the human body.
No one can underestimate the significance of hands and wrists because of their involvement in almost all movements. Like the rest of the human body, the physiology of the wrists is also complex. Due to the resemblance to a long canal, biologists give the name “ carpal tunnel” to a small canal within the wrist.
One of the main nerves that runs through this small canal is the median nerve. This nerve controls our sensory and motor feelings in certain areas of our hands. If there is any increased pressure around the canal, the nerve will get compressed and become irritated. In consequence, any kind of hand or wrist could become painful or irritating making your work routine a challenge.
The condition often develops gradually rather than suddenly.
Arthritis is not just one disorder but refers to disorders that affect or cause inflammation in the joints. The two most prevalent types that involve the hands are:
Arthritis causes the joints to become stiff, swollen, and painful. Eventually, the cartilage wears out, and movements become restricted.
Upon a cursory look, it may appear that carpal tunnel syndrome and arthritis share many similarities. These include:
This similarity in the symptoms makes many people confuse one illness with another. Even simple actions such as twisting off jar caps may be hard to perform. However, there is a complete difference in the causality behind each of these conditions.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome arises because of increased pressure around the median nerve located within the wrist area. Because this is a condition affecting a nerve, its symptoms are usually characterized by tingling, numbness, and a burning sensation in the fingers and palms.
The condition of arthritis is all about your joints. Under its effect joints damage occurs, making it hard. Thus patients cannot use the affected joints due to stiffness, swelling, and pain. Being two entirely different diseases, their causality means that each disease is going to present itself differently, with the symptoms also varying.
The majority find themselves incapable to differentiate both conditions on their own. Though the ultimate decision should be of a professional, the following observations can help to crack the secret.
In any case, the patients differ greatly.
These feelings normally occur :
In arthritis, the pain is more likely:
It is felt right in the following joints:
The time that certain signs occur reveals much about your condition.
Individuals affected by arthritis will often be noted to wake up with:
There will be a gradual improvement in their finger movements during the day.
carpal tunnel syndrome patients will usually be noted to wake up with:
Unlike arthritis patients, nerve irritation is common among them.
The symptoms of carpal tunnel often become worse when sleeping due to the position of the wrist. It adds pressure on the nerve.
Pain from arthritis often worsens:
Movement will generally make symptoms worse
The clinical judgment that professionals make through physical examination reveals many aspects. Yet for confirmation, experts run different tests.
The whole of the above discussion revolves around the fact similar looking conditions, carpal tunnel vs arthritis, are not the same in real life. Their causes and effects come with great differences. Hence, the treatment approach for both of these has no match.
Early diagnosis and treatment help to slow the progression of diseases.
| Feature | Carpal Tunnel | Arthritis |
|---|---|---|
| What is it? | Pressurized nerve in the wrist | Group of disorders affecting joints |
| Nature | Nerve related | Joint related |
| Pain type | Burning, sharp, electric shooting pain | Aching, throbbing joint pain |
| Symptoms | Numbness, tingling, burning in hands | Severe stiffness, tightness |
| Trigger factors | Repetitive hand use, typing, wrist strain, pregnancy, thyroid issues | Ageing, autoimmune disease, joint overuse, genetics |
| Treatment | Wrist splints, activity modification, anti-inflammatory drugs, steroid injections and surgery | Pain management, anti-inflammatory drugs, physiotherapy, lifestyle changes, joint protection exercises |
