Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Question 1

What conditions are a/w carpal tunnel syndrome?

Answer 1

Anything which expand interstitial space with soft tissue growth or fluid

RA (especially if <50)
Acromegaly (>50)
Cushing’s
Diabetes
Hypothyroidism
Radial fracture
Radial fracture
Lymphoedema
Nephrotic syndrome

Question 2

Ix of carpal tunnel syndrome?

Answer 2

Electrophysiology (motor and sensory): prolonged AP

Question 3

Mx of carpal tunnel syndrome?

Answer 3

mild-moderate sx: conservative for 6wks initally (corticosteroid injection + night wrist splints)

severe or persistent sx: surgical decompression (flexor retinaculum division)

treat underlying cause

Question 4

what is carpal tunnel syndrome?

Answer 4

median n. entrapment in the carpal tunnel

Question 5

carpal tunnel syndrome is more common in?

Answer 5

women

Question 6

clinical features of carpal tunnel syndrome?

Answer 6

tingling/pain in first 3 digits
worse at night
relieved by shaking/hanging out the hand at night

maybe clumsiness in hand movements
decreased sensation in first 3 digits