What is Carpal Tunnel syndrome (CTS)?

Answer 1

Muscles and bones in the extremities are enclosed within a fascia. When some injury occurs let us say a crush injury in the forearm this leads to Edema/swellings. Further leading in an increase in pressure in the injured forearm. This alters the blood supply distally to the part of injury. In other words compression occurs and as in this case the median nerve will most likely be compressed too.

So when the pressure increases above than 40 mm hg then carpel tunnel syndrome is said to occur.

Impending signs of CTS are,

High risk injuries.

Pain which is not relieved by the usuall doses of analgesics.

Numbers and parathesia when a nerve is compressed.

Some clinical tests we do to detect CST are;

Phalen's maneuver is performed by flexing the wrist gently as far as possible, then holding this position and awaiting symptoms.[34] A positive test is one that results in numbness in the median nerve distribution when holding the wrist in acute flexion position within 60 seconds.

Tinel's sign, a classic, though less sensitive test, is a way to detect irritated nerves. Tinel's is performed by lightly tapping the skin over the flexor retinaculum to elicit a sensation of tingling or "pins and needles" in the nerve distribution.

Durkan test, carpal compression test, or applying firm pressure to the palm over the nerve for up to 30 seconds to elicit symptoms has also been proposed.

Treatment - Early reduction of the pressure that is being built inside.

If the patient is not that symptomatic then we can administer local corticosteroid injections. Or in case of an emergency we do a faciotomty. i.e. we make linear incisions on the lateral aspects of the forearm.

Answer 2

It's a band across the inside of the wrist (to hold the ligaments in place when you flex your wrist). If it swells up it will compress the tendons and the nerves that pass through it. Usually caused by postures that press on the wrists that are held for a long period of time. (typing is classic)

Answer 3

The carpal tunnel is an anatomical part of the body, formed by the carpal bones of the hand and the flexor retinaculum (a ligament) of the hand. There are various nerves and tendons which pass through the carpal tunnel and one of these is the median nerve. The median nerve provides motor function to the thumb and sensory function to the thumb, index, middle and half of the ring finger on the palm side of the hand. If there is, for any reason, some build up of pressure in the carpal tunnel then the median nerve is compressed and there will be some loss of function. The increased pressure is caused by a number of things, most commonly tendonitis, artheritis of the carpal bones or any condition which causes oedema eg. pregnancy. Carpal tunnel is more common in women than men and presents itself with pins and needles in the fingers which are supplied by the median nerve. Some carpal tunnel syndromes can go away on their own but it is important to seek medical advice because if the motor function of the thumb is compromised then there can be some muscle wasting of the thenar eminences which causes permanent paralysis of the thumb. Treatment is usually some anti inflammatory drug and in severe cases a small surgical procedure in which the flexor retinaculum is cut - therefore releasing pressure in the carpal tunnel. I hope this helps

Answer 4

It is an inflamation (swelling) of the ligaments in the "carpal tunnel." This is the tunnel that the nerves in your hand pass through. The swelling presses on the nerves, causing tingling, numbness and pain.

Answer 5

Bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome is when you have issues with the carpal tunnel of the wrist,formed by the first or proximal row, of carpal,wrist, bones putting pressure on the median nerve and causing pain or immobility of the hand. The bilateral part refers to having the syndrome on both left and right sides affecting both arms.

Answer 6

Carpal tunnel syndrome is something that affects that wrist in a person. Carpal is derived from the greek word for wrist. In the wrist there are tunnels that are sometimes bothered by compressions in the tunnel.