Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Flashcards
1
Q
What nerve is compressed in Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?
A
The Median Nerve
2
Q
What is a typical history?
A
- Pain/pins and needles in thumb, index, middle finger
- Unusually the symptoms may ‘ascend’ proximally
- Patient shakes his hand to obtain relief, classically at night
3
Q
On examination, will you see thenar or hypothenar wasting?
A
Thenar
4
Q
What are the two signs you can do to test for carpal tunnel syndrome?
A
- Tinnel’s Sign - tapping causes parasthesia
- Phalen’s sign - flexion of wrists causes symptoms.
5
Q
What are some causes of carpal tunnel syndrome?
A
- Idiopathic
- Pregnancy
- Oedema e.g. heart failure
- Lunate fracture
- Rheumatoid arthritis
6
Q
What is the treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome?
A
- Wrist splints at night
- Corticosteroid injection
- Surgical decompression (flexor retinaculum division)
