What is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome? What are the causes and symptoms of carpal tunnel ? How is the treatment?
The Carpal Tunnel is a channel located at the level of the wrist and through it passes through the tendons of the muscles that provide the movement of the fingers and the median nerve. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is the compression of the median nerve in this tunnel. In medical language, it is referred to as trap neuropathy. The median nerve is responsible for the sensation and movement of the first 3 fingers and half of the 4th finger in the hand.
Causes of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome:
1- As a result of trauma to the wrist, the canal may narrow and the nerve may be compressed.
2- The formation of edema around the tendon due to excessive and forced use of wrist muscles causes the narrowing of the canal.
3- It can be seen after wrist fractures.
4- The canal may narrow due to the edema of the body during pregnancy.
5- It can be seen in diabetics and high blood pressure patients.
6- It can be seen in patients with thyroid problems.
Symptoms of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome:
7- There is pain, numbness and tingling sensation in the fingers stimulated by the median nerve.
8- There is pain, numbness and tingling sensation in the wrist.
9- Complaints increase more especially at night.
10- In cases where the wrist remains bent for a long time, complaints increase, swelling and pressure sensation increase in the hand.
11- In advanced cases, with weakness in the fingers and even a decrease in muscle mass, the person begins to reduce the grip in his hand and the grip power decreases.
Diagnosis of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome:
12- The diagnosis can usually be easily determined when we listen to the patient’s complaints, but some tests are still applied to make the diagnosis completely.
13- The backs of the hands are joined so that the wrists are bent 90 degrees in front of the body and 60 seconds are waited in this position and if complaints arise, the test is positive.
14- The palms are joined together so that the wrists are bent 90 degrees again in front of the trunk and waited for 60 seconds and if complaints arise, the test is positive.
15- If pressure is applied to the inner part of the wrist on the carpal tunnel for 30 seconds and complaints occur, the test is positive.
16- EMG test is performed to determine the degree of pressure on the nerve exactly.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome treatment:
17- Since it is the compression inside the channel that causes the disease, the treatment is tried to eliminate this compression.
18- Diseases that cause edema in the body should be treated.
19- Drug treatments are applied by the doctor to eliminate pain and swelling.
20- Splint applications are effective to prevent excessive movement of the wrist and to ensure rest. In particular, the use of a resting splint at night prevents the wrist from bending and is effective in reducing complaints.
21- Hot and cold contrast bath applications are made.
22- Electrotherapy agents used in physical therapy are applied.
23- Manual therapy is performed.
24- Nerve mobilizations are applied.
25- Muscle stretching exercises and muscle strengthening exercises play an important role in treatment.