Pronator teres syndrome (PTS) is a painful condition that affects the forearm and wrist. It occurs when the median nerve, which runs from your neck to your hand, gets compressed or pinched as it passes through the pronator teres muscle in your forearm. The condition can cause numbness, tingling, weakness, and pain in your hand, wrist, and forearm. If you have been diagnosed with PTS or suspect you may have it, it’s important to understand what triggers it so you can avoid aggravating your symptoms. In this blog post, we’ll discuss some of the common triggers of PTS and what you can do to manage them.
Repetitive motions: One of the most common causes of PTS is repetitive motion that involves twisting or turning of the forearm and wrist. This can include activities such as typing on a keyboard, playing musical instruments like guitar or piano, using hand tools like screwdrivers or wrenches, knitting or crocheting, and even sports like tennis or golf. If you engage in any repetitive motion that puts stress on your forearm muscles and nerves, it’s important to take frequent breaks and stretch regularly to prevent PTS.
Trauma: Another trigger of PTS is trauma to the elbow or wrist area that causes swelling or inflammation around the pronator teres muscle. This can happen due to a fall on an outstretched arm, car accidents where the driver holds onto the steering wheel tightly during impact, or sports injuries where there is direct impact to the elbow joint.
Anatomical abnormalities: Certain anatomical variations in the shape of your bones and muscles can also contribute to PTS by putting pressure on the median nerve. For example, having a shorter than normal distance between your elbow joint and wrist joint could increase your risk for developing PTS.
Medical conditions: Some medical conditions that affect the nerves, such as diabetes, can also increase your risk for developing PTS. Certain medications or treatments, such as chemotherapy, may also increase your risk for nerve damage and PTS.
Poor posture: Finally, poor posture can play a role in triggering PTS by putting pressure on the median nerve in the forearm. This can happen when you lean on your elbow or wrist while sitting at a desk or using a computer for extended periods of time.
As you can see, there are many potential triggers of pronator teres syndrome. If you suspect that you have PTS or have been diagnosed with it, it’s important to work with a qualified healthcare professional such as a physiotherapist or chiropractor to develop an appropriate treatment plan. Management strategies may include rest and immobilization, physiotherapy exercises to strengthen and stretch your muscles, ergonomic adjustments to your workspace or equipment, and even surgery in severe cases. By understanding what triggers PTS and taking steps to manage them, you can reduce your pain and discomfort and improve your quality of life.
If you have any questions or would like to explore further, please book a free, no-charge online appointment with either myself, Dr. Burzin Rao, BSc (Hons), DC, or another Waterloo chiropractic doctor at CARESPACE. We are happy to listen and are here to help!
