carpal tunnel syndrome

Question 1

what clinical sign can be seen in carpal tunnel syndrome

Answer 1

decreased grip strength

Question 2

how does carpal tunnel arise

Answer 2

median nerve entrapment in the anatomical closed space of the carpal tunnel
/ median nerve compression by flexor retinaculum

Question 3

what causes carpal tunnel syndrome

Answer 3

diabetes
pregnancy
hypothyroidism
acromegaly
radial fracture
rheumatoid arthritis

Question 4

what are the clinical features

Answer 4

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

clumsiness in hand movements and decreases sensation in the first 3 digits

often leads to atrophy of thenar muscles

Question 5

how do you manage carpal tunnel

Answer 5

splinting
local steroid injection
treating underlying cause (if secondary)

> if these fail then decompression surgery - by dividing the tunnel roof

Question 5

how do you manage carpal tunnel

Answer 5

splinting
local steroid injection
treating underlying cause (if secondary)

> if these fail then decompression surgery ‘carpal tunnel release’- by dividing the tunnel roof/cutting the flexor retinaculum

Question 6

what is Phalens

Answer 6

flexion of the wrist causes pain

Question 7

what is Tinels

Answer 7

when tapping over the carpal tunnel causes pain

Question 8

what is the carpal tunnel ?

Answer 8

a narrow corridor in the anterior region of the wrist that allows for passage of muscle tendons and pivotal neurovasculature including the median nerve