Tunnel Syndromes

Question 1

define carpal tunnel syndrome

Answer 1

occurs due to the entrapment of the median nerve within the carpal tunnel

Question 2

secondary causes of carpal tunnel syndrome

Answer 2

diabetes 
pregnancy
hypothyroidism 
acromegaly 
radial fracture 
rheumatoid arthritis

Question 3

clinical features of carpal tunnel syndrome

Answer 3

tingling/pain in 1st 3 digits
pain worse at night
pain relieved by shaking/hanging out hand at night
clumsiness in hand movements
decreased sensation of the hand in 1st 3 digits

Question 4

management of carpal tunnel syndrome

Answer 4

splinting
local steroid injections

if secondary causes: treatment of underlying cause

Question 5

management of carpal tunnel syndrome if failure of initial treatment

Answer 5

decompression surgery to divide tunnel roof

Question 6

define cubital tunnel syndrome

Answer 6

a compression or irritation of the ulnar nerve as it passes through the cubital tunnel at the elbow

Question 7

clinical features of cubital tunnel syndrome

Answer 7

pain at medial elbow and forearm
sensory disturbance of 4th and 5th digits, hypothenar eminence and ulnar side of dorsum of the hand
weakness of muscles innervated by ulnar nerve

Question 8

management of cubital tunnel syndrome

Answer 8

elbow splint

if no improvement: surgical decompression