Carpal tunnel syndrome and arthritis are two very painful conditions, and they’re very easy to confuse one for another when it comes to pain. However, both these conditions are vastly different, although one can be a very strong cause for another.
Carpal tunnel syndrome occurs when the median nerve gets pinched, squeezed or damaged, and it results in symptoms that include pain, weakness, stiffness, and numbness.
That’s because the median nerve is one of the big nerves that generate feeling for your hand and arms. The nerve goes through a very narrow passage called the carpal tunnel that also contains tendons as well. When there’s pain and inflammation, this tunnel can impinge or damage the nerve, causing carpal tunnel symptoms.
On the other hand, arthritis is a condition where joints get stiff and painful and is something that happens as we get older. The symptoms include pain, tenderness, stiffness, swelling, redness and warmth. These symptoms tend to get much worse as we get older, and can be debilitating at times unless treatment is provided.
These are two separate conditions, but very often, arthritis can cause Carpal tunnel syndrome. That’s because arthritis in the wrists can lead to swelling in the wrist and swelling in the area where the median nerve passes through the carpal tunnel, thus resulting in symptoms.
