Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

• Definition
· Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is the disorder of excessive pressure on the median nerve as it passes through the wrist canal causing pain and paresthesia of the hand and forearm.

• Overview
· Carpal Tunnel Syndrome usually begins as burning, pain and tingling of the thumb, index finger and middle finger.
· Carpal Tunnel Syndrome symptoms can be particularly bothersome at night time.
· Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is highly associated with occupations that require repetitive movements of the wrist.
· Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is common and 80% of carpal tunnel patients are over the age of 40 years.
· Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is much more common in women than men.
· Carpal Tunnel Syndrome also tends to run in families.
· Carpal Tunnel Syndrome can be associated with:
Acromegaly (gigantism)
Amyloidosis
Chronic renal failure
Hyperparathyroidism
Leukemia
Rheumatoid arthritis
Myxedema (severe hypothyroidism)
Sarcoidosis

• Symptoms
· Carpal Tunnel Syndrome symptoms include pain, burning, or tingling of the wrist, thumb, index and middle finger.
· Carpal Tunnel Syndrome symptoms also include discomfort: aching, deep pain of the forearm and occasionally radiating up to the shoulder.
· Carpal Tunnel Syndrome discomfort is usually worsened with movement of the wrist.
· Carpal Tunnel Syndrome can be diagnosed by reproducing the pain with excessive flexion of the wrist are pressure on the forearm.

• Treatment
· Treatment should be focused on decreasing excessive movements of the wrist, splinting of the wrist at night.
Anti inflammatory medications are helpful
Surgical division of carpal ligaments

References
Bland JD. Carpal tunnel syndrome. BMJ. 2007 Aug 18;335(7615):343-6. [PMID: 17703044]

Posted on September 24, 2008

3 Responses to “Carpal Tunnel Syndrome”

  1. Health and Wellness: Medicues Wrist paresthesia says:
    February 5, 2009 at 6:36 am

    [...] Wrist paresthesia can be a sign of carpal tunnel syndrome or peripheral neuropathy(nerve [...]

    Reply
  2. Health and Wellness: Medicues Wrist pain says:
    February 5, 2009 at 6:36 am

    [...] Wrist pain can result from: · carpal tunnel syndrome · arthritis of the wrist (rheumatoid or osteoarthritis) · sprain or strain to the ligaments and [...]

    Reply
  3. Health and Wellness: Medicues Wrist numbness says:
    February 5, 2009 at 6:39 am

    [...] a peripheral neuropathy(nerve damage) · carpal tunnel syndrome · heavy metal exposure or trauma(injury) to nerves. · [...]

    Reply

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