Can A Car Accident Cause Carpal Tunnel?

Wrist injuries are a common result of being in a car accident in San Bernardino. This is mostly because when we experience the force of a car crash, our hands are gripping the wheel. According to PubMed, around 5% of all wrist injuries in the United States are caused by traffic accidents. Wrist injuries can be particularly troublesome, often preventing individuals from returning to work and disrupting their daily lives and household tasks. Many San Bernardino car accident victims wonder if carpal tunnel syndrome can develop after a car accident, and indeed, it can be a type of wrist injury that can be sustained in a car accident. The consequences of developing carpal tunnel syndrome extend beyond just experiencing pain in the wrist area, as they often affect an individual’s overall hand function and quality of life.

If you are searching for an experienced San Bernardino car accident lawyer near you, contact the Personal Injury Lawyer & Car Accident Gold Firm at 909-308-1118 for a free consultation.

What Is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?

The Mayo Clinic states that carpal tunnel syndrome is one of the most common hand conditions in the United States. It refers to pain caused by pressure on the median nerve. The median nerve runs from the forearm through a passageway in the wrist to the hand. This passageway is formally known as the carpal tunnel. The median nerve provides sensation to the palm side of the thumb and all of the fingers on the hand except the pinky finger. Additionally, this nerve sends signals that provide motor function to the muscles around the base of the thumb so that they can move. Anything that squeezes or irritates the median nerve in the carpal tunnel passageway may lead to developing carpal tunnel syndrome.

What Causes Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?

We know various things can compress, or irritate the median nerve, but can carpal tunnel be caused by a car accident in San Bernardino? The simple answer is yes. A car accident can cause carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). One common reason is that wrists are commonly used to grip the wheel. This typically results in sprained or fractured wrists. During a car accident, the sudden and forceful impact that is caused can result in wrist injuries that cause inflammation or swelling in the carpal tunnel area.

Beyond fractures and sprains in a car accident, any condition that causes swelling or inflammation in the wrist can potentially lead to CTS. This includes conditions like rheumatoid arthritis or repetitive stress injuries from activities like typing or assembly line work.

These car accident cases can get complicated which is why we recommend contacting a car accident attorney near you. Recognizing that legal fees should not exacerbate this burden, our San Bernardino-based personal injury law firm operates on a “no win, no fee” basis. Simply put, you only pay us if we win your case.

Common Symptoms Of Carpal Tunnel

There are several common symptoms that individuals should watch for after being in a car accident in San Bernardino, which could indicate the development of carpal tunnel syndrome following a car accident.

If you’ve been in a San Bernardino car accident and suspect you have developed carpal tunnel syndrome, watch for these common symptoms:

1. Weakness when gripping objects with one or both hands – Difficulty holding onto items firmly, especially noticeable when using tools, gripping the steering wheel, or opening jars, is a common sign of carpal tunnel syndrome.
2. Pain or numbness in one or both hands – Persistent discomfort or loss of sensation in the palm or fingers after being in a car accident is a common symptom of carpal tunnel syndrome.
3. “Pins and needles” feeling in the fingers – Another common sign of carpal tunnel syndrome is experiencing a sensation similar to tingling or prickling, often felt in the thumb, index, and middle fingers.
4. Swollen feeling in the fingers – If you notice that there is puffiness or tightness in the fingers, which is sometimes accompanied by visible swelling, you may have developed carpal tunnel syndrome.
5. Burning or tingling in the fingers, especially the thumb and the index and middle fingers – A recurring sensation of heat or tingling, mainly in the thumb, index, and middle fingers, is a common symptom of carpal tunnel syndrome after a car accident.
6. Pain or numbness that is worse at night, interrupting sleep – Carpal tunnel syndrome is often accompanied by discomfort or numbness that intensifies during nighttime, potentially causing sleep disturbances.

These symptoms may resemble other medical conditions, so it’s essential to consult a medical professional for a proper diagnosis and appropriate treatment.

What Is Traumatic Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?

When a car accident or another type of accident occurs that leads to the development of carpal tunnel syndrome, it is commonly referred to as traumatic carpal tunnel syndrome. This condition occurs when an injury, such as the forceful impact from a collision, traps or impinges on the median nerve as it passes through the carpal tunnel located in the wrist. The resulting pressure, either from the wrist being trapped in between two objects or forcefully hit, on the nerve can lead to the onset of symptoms, such as pain, numbness, and tingling in the hand and fingers. Traumatic carpal tunnel syndrome requires prompt medical attention to prevent further complications and to manage the symptoms effectively, as well as protect your right to compensation.

Treatment Options For Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

When a car accident or another type of traumatic injury results in the development of carpal tunnel syndrome, known as traumatic carpal tunnel syndrome, it is important to seek prompt medical attention. Fortunately, there are various treatment options available to address traumatic carpal tunnel syndrome, each aimed at reducing and relieving symptoms as well as preventing further nerve damage. Proper diagnosis, timely intervention, and adherence to recommended treatments are essential to managing this condition effectively. Common carpal tunnel syndrome treatment options include:

• Applying Cold Packs – Using cold packs on the affected wrist and hand can help to reduce swelling and inflammation in the wrist, which will also help with decreasing pressure on the median nerve and alleviating pain.
• Wrist Splinting – Wearing a wrist splint, particularly at night, is also a recommended form of treatment. This helps maintain a neutral position of the wrist, reducing pressure on the median nerve and preventing further aggravation of symptoms.
• Temporarily Decrease the Use of Your Hands & Wrists – Reducing the use of the wrist, especially any activities that strain the affected hands and wrists, can prevent further irritation of the median nerve, allowing the area to rest and heal.
• Using Over-the-Counter Pain Relievers – Taking over the counter medications like ibuprofen or aspirin can temporarily relieve pain and inflammation. Doing so will also help in reducing swelling around the median nerve.
• Corticosteroids – Corticosteroid injections can be administered by your doctor to reduce inflammation and provide relief when other treatments have not been effective in managing symptoms.

In cases of traumatic carpal tunnel syndrome, where the condition is caused by a significant injury during a car accident, surgery is often the most effective treatment option recommended. One of the best solutions is a minimally invasive surgical procedure known as ultrasound-guided carpal tunnel release. This surgery involves cutting the sheath that holds the median nerve, which alleviates the symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome and provides relief when other treatment methods may not be sufficient.

How A San Bernardino Car Accident Lawyer Can Help

If you are searching for an experienced San Bernardino car accident lawyer near you, contact The Gold Firm at 909-308-1118 for a free consultation.

At the Gold Firm, our team of experienced car accident lawyers in San Bernardino are dedicated to helping victims who have developed traumatic carpal tunnel syndrome as a result of being in an accident. We understand the physical, emotional, and financial toll this condition can take, as well as how painful it can be. Therefore, we are committed to securing the compensation you deserve. Our attorneys will thoroughly investigate your case, gather the necessary medical evidence, and advocate on your behalf to hold the responsible parties and insurance companies accountable when it comes to them paying the compensation you deserve. Whether negotiating with insurance companies or representing you in court, our goal is to ensure you receive the support and resources needed for your recovery.