Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Flashcards
A repetitive strain injury caused by compression of the median nerve, which enters the hand through the narrow confines of the carpal tunnel
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
associated with hobbies or occupations that require continous wrist movement
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
What are the hobbies or occupations that require continous wrist movement
-musician
-painters
-carpenters
-computer operators
What is carpal tunnel syndrome?
-A repetitive strain injury caused by compression of the median nerve, which enters the hand through the narrow confines of the carpal tunnel
-associated with hobbies or occupations that require continous wrist movement
Etiology of carpal tunnel syndrome
-pressure from trauma or edema resulting from inflammation of a tendon (tenosynoritis)
-neoplasm
-rheumatoid arthritis
-soft tissue masses
-hormones (estrogen & progesterone)
-diabetes
Clinical Manifestation of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
-weakness (especially of the thumb)
-burning pain (causalgia)
-numbness & tingling
-clumsiness in performing fine hand movements
- tinel sign and phalen sign
awakens at night
numbness & tingling
shaking hands relive symptoms
numbness & tingling
characteristics of numbness & tingling
-awakens at night
- shaking hands relive symptoms
Elicited by tapping over the median nerve as it passes through the carpal tunnel in the wrist
Tinel Sign
A positive result of Tinel Sign
a sensation of tingling in the distribution of the median nerve over the hand is felt
What is Tinel Sign?
elicited by tapping over the median nerve as it passes through the carpal tunnel in the wrist
What is a Tinel sign nerve involved?
Median Nerve
Tinel sign affected are
middle index and thumb
can be elicited by allowing the wrists to fall freely into maximum flexion and maintaining the position for longer than 60 seconds
Phalen Sign
A positive result of Phalen Sign
A sensation of tingling in the distribution of the median nerve over the hand
What is Phalen sign?
can be elicited by allowing the wrists to fall freely into maximum flexion and maintaining the position for longer than 60 seconds
Surgical Management of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
-Open-release Surgery
-Endoscopic Carpal Tunnel Release
An incision is made in the wrist and then the carpal ligament is cut to enlarge the carpal tunnel syndrome
Open-release surgery
What is open-release surgery?
An incision is made in the wrist and then the carpal ligament is cut to enlarge the carpal tunnel syndrome
Performed through one or more small puncture incisions in the wrist and palm
Endoscopic Carpal Tunnel Release
Carpal ligament is cut with the aid of a camera
Endoscopic Carpal Tunnel Release
What is Endoscopic Carpal Tunnel Release?
-Performed through one or more small puncture incisions in the wrist and palm
-Carpal ligament is cut with the aid of a camera
Management of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
-identify risk factors
-wearing of wrist splints
-workstation modifications
- frequent breaks from work-related activities
