The Carpal Tunnel is a canal at the level of the wrist and the tendons of the muscles that provide the movement of the fingers and the median nerve pass through it. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is the compression of the median nerve in this tunnel. It is known as entrapment neuropathy in medical language. The median nerve is responsible for sensation and movement of the first 3 fingers and half of the 4th finger.
Leyla Altıntaş, Specialist Physiotherapist from Therapy Sport Center Physical Therapy Center, gave information about the causes, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.
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 compelling use of the wrist muscles causes narrowing of the canal.
3- It can be seen after wrist fractures.
4-Due to the edema of the body during pregnancy, the canal may narrow.
5-It can be seen in diabetes patients and high blood pressure patients.
6-It can be seen in patients with thyroid problems.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Symptoms:
7- There is pain, numbness and tingling sensation in the fingers stimulated by the median nerve.
8- There is pain, numbness, tingling sensation in the wrist.
9-Complaints increase more especially at night.
10- In cases where the wrist is bent for a long time, complaints increase, swelling and pressure sensation in the hand increase.
11-In advanced cases, with weakness in the fingers and even a decrease in muscle mass, the person starts to drop what he/she is holding and his/her grip strength decreases.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Diagnosis:
12-The diagnosis can usually be determined easily when we listen to the patient's complaints, but still, some tests are applied to make the diagnosis.
13-The arms are in front of the body, the wrists are bent 90 degrees, the backs of the hands are brought together and waited in this position for 60 seconds and if complaints occur, the test is positive.
14-The arms are in front of the body, again with the wrists bent at 90 degrees, this time the palms are brought together and waited for 60 seconds, and if complaints occur, the test is positive.
15-Compression is applied to the inner part of the wrist on the carpal tunnel for 30 seconds and if complaints occur, the test is positive.
16- EMG test is done to determine the degree of pressure on the nerve.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Treatment:
17-Since it is the compression in the canal that causes the disease, efforts are made to eliminate this compression in the treatment.
18-Diseases that cause edema in the body should be treated.
19-In order to eliminate pain and swelling, drug treatments are administered by the doctor.
20-Splint applications are effective in preventing excessive movement of the wrist and providing rest. In particular, the use of a night rest splint prevents twisting of the wrist 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 done.
24-Nerve mobilizations are applied.
25-Muscle stretching exercises and muscle strengthening exercises play an important role in treatment.
Be the first to comment