Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Flashcards

1
Q

What is carpal tunnel syndrome ( CTS )

A

Condition involving the compression of the median nerve due to raised pressure in this compartment

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

What are the risk factors of CTS

A

Female gender

Increasing age

Pregnancy

Obesity

Previous injury to the wrist

Occupations where there are repeating hand/ wrist movements

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

what are the clinical features of CTS

A

Pain, numbness, paraesthesia over the median nerve sensory distribution

Palm is spared as the branches to the palm are given off before the flexor retinaculum

Sx worse at night and relieved by hanging hand out of the bed

Later stages => weakness in thumb abduction/ wasting in thenar eminence muscles

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

What tests can be carried out for carpal tunnel syndrome

A

Tinel’s test - percussion over the median nerve

Phalens test - holding the wrist in full flexion for one min

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

What are the differential diagnosis

A

Cervical radiculopathy - C6 nerve root compression => causes similar symptoms

Pronator teres Syndrome - median nerve compressed by pronator teres

Flexor carpi radialis tenosynovitis

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

What are the investigations you would carry out

A

Clinical diagnosis largely

In uncertain cases you could do nerve conduction studies

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

How would you manage CTS conservatively

A

Wrist splint

Corticosteroid injections

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

How would you manage CTS surgically

A

Carpal tunnel release surgery - cutting through the flexor retinaculum

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

What are the complications of surgery

A

Persistent symptoms

Infection

Scar

Nerve damage

Trigger thumb

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

What are the long term untreated complications of CTS

A

neurological impairment

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly