carpal tunnel syndrome Flashcards
1
Q
definition of carpal tunnel syndrome
A
compression of the median nerve
2
Q
what are the causes of carpal tunnel syndrome?
A
o Idiopathic o Pregnancy o Oedema o Lunate fracture o Rheumatoid arthritis
3
Q
what are the symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome?
A
- Tingling and pain in the thumb, index and middle finger
- Can be worse at night
- Weakness and clumsiness of the hand
- Shaking the hand will bring on relief
4
Q
what are the signs of carpal tunnel syndrome?
A
o Weakness of thumb abduction
o Wasting of the thenar eminence
o Tinel’s Sign o Phalen’s Test
5
Q
what is tinels sign?
A
tapping the carpal tunnel causes paraesthesia
6
Q
what is phalens sign?
A
flexion of the wrist for 1 min causes symptoms
7
Q
what investigations are gold standard?
A
• Nerve Conduction Study
o Shows action potential prolongation in both the sensory and motor axons
