Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Carpal tunnel; It is a canal located at the level of the wrist. The median passes through it. If the structures forming this tunnel thicken, the nerve becomes trapped in the carpal tunnel.
Carpal tunnel syndrome is the disease with the highest average cause of absenteeism among workplace injuries and illnesses.
Who Gets Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?
Carpal tunnel syndrome is more common in women. It is especially common in people who work with their hands. It is more common in people who spend a long time at the computer, those who work in cleaning, cooks, and those who do knitting-embroidery work.
Moreover; It is common in people with diseases such as gout, obesity, diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, hypothyroidism, and pregnant women.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Findings
Burning, pins and needles, tingling and numbness are seen in the fingers. Symptoms are felt in the thumb, index finger, middle finger, outer half of the ring finger and palm.
Night pain and numbness are very common. At night, patients wake up from their sleep and make a hand shake to relax. Later, the pain continues throughout the day and the muscles begin to weaken.
Diagnosing Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
The diagnosis of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is made with a detailed history and physical examination. With the EMG test, the damage status of the nerve is determined.
Treatment of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Early treatment of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome; Splint use, pain relievers and muscle relaxants are the recommended treatment initially. A cortisone injection can be given to the wrist to reduce swelling.
Surgical treatment usually offers a better outcome than conservative treatment.
If the nerve compression is moderate or advanced, the nerve should be relieved by surgery. Otherwise, the damage will be permanent.
Among the surgical methods, standard open incision, midline distal palmar mini incision and midline palmar proximal mini incision, endoscopic methods can be counted.
Among all surgical techniques, carpal tunnel surgery performed with the midline distal palmar mini-incision technique provides an earlier return to work compared to other techniques.