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Dementia and Your Loved One
4 Things Knitters Need To Know About Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Vickie Armstrong
Carpal tunnel syndrome occurs when the nerve inside your wrist becomes pinched by the surrounding tendons and tissues. This is a painful and often chronic condition, and if knitting is one of your favorite hobbies, you could be at risk. Here's what you need to know.
How do you get carpal tunnel syndrome?
Carpal tunnel syndrome is classified as a repetitive motion disorder, which means that you get it by doing the same motions over and over. Many people develop this at work, (it makes up 48% of all workplace injuries), but typing isn't the only way to get carpal tunnel syndrome. The repetitive motion of knitting and purling can aggravate the tissues in your wrist and put pressure on your nerve.
How do you know you have it?
Carpal tunnel syndrome develops gradually, so it may take you a while to realize that you have a problem. You may experience occasional tingling in your hands and wrists while you're knitting, and you may even feel numbness and pain. As the condition worsens, you will experience these symptoms even when you're not knitting. Some people experience radiating pain between their hands and elbows, and often experience lowered coordination. If you have this condition, you may notice that you are dropping more stitches than you normally do.
Do you need to stop knitting?
You will need to stop knitting, at least for a while. Avoiding repetitive activities is an important part of your treatment, since if you keep aggravating the tissues in your wrist, they'll never get better. In some cases, taking a break from knitting is the only treatment that is required, and you will be able to ease back into knitting when you feel better. If you are still experiencing pain even after avoiding knitting for a few months, you will need other treatments.
Is surgery required?
Surgery is a last resort treatment for carpal tunnel syndrome, so don't worry about surgery quite yet. Your doctor will recommend less invasive treatments like wrist splints and corticosteriod injections. Wrist splints keep your wrist from bending, a motion that puts pressure on your nerve. If wrist splints don't work, you will receive corticosteroid injections. These are given directly into your wrist and reduce the swelling that is putting pressure on your nerves.
If you are experiencing pain or tingling in your wrists when you knit, you need to stop knitting and make an appointment with your doctor to be evaluated for carpal tunnel. Seeking treatment immediately can help you get back to your favorite hobby sooner.
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