Carpal Tunnel Syndrome:

It is a condition that occurs due to compression of the nerve called the median nerve, which plays an important role in the movement and sensation of the fingers, at the wrist level. It is the most common ailment among nerve compressions.

The median nerve passes through a narrow space called the carpal tunnel, along with 9 tendons that move the fingers on the inside of the wrist. It allows feeling the entire inner surface of the thumb, index and middle finger, and the outer half of the inner surface of the ring finger. It also plays a role in the work of the muscles that allow the fingers to make subtle movements. Exposure of the nerve to a prolonged pressure in the carpal tunnel somehow causes carpal tunnel syndrome.

 

In Who Is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Common?

Carpal tunnel syndrome is more common in women and between the ages of 40-60. Often no obvious cause can be found.

The most common cause is thickening of the ligament due to overuse. It is especially common in people who work for years by putting a load on their wrist, those who use typewriters and computers, housewives who knit and do intense housework, and people who use their wrists a lot, such as auto mechanics.

It can also occur as a result of other problems such as diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, hypothyroidism, obesity, and gout. The increase in body fluids during pregnancy may cause an increase in pressure in the carpal tunnel, which may cause temporary symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome.

 

Symptoms:

• Numbness and pain that occurs in the hands, especially at night, and gets worse over time. It can be severe enough to wake you from sleep and can spread to the arm and shoulder.
• Loss of sensation or electric shock sensation in the palm and fingers, especially in the thumb, index and middle fingers.
• Loss of strength in the hand, inability to hold, dropping objects.
• Relief of this numbness and pain by shaking the hand.

 

Diagnosis:

The diagnosis is made by a detailed history of the complaints and by investigating other causes that may lead to this condition. Some of the patients diagnosed with neck hernia and calcification also have hand-wrist canal disease, which is called double stenosis. Both the spinal cord and nerve root in the neck are compressed and there is wrist canal stenosis.
The diagnosis is confirmed by performing neck MRI and ENMG (nerve electrode) examinations.

 

Treatment:

Initially;

• To prevent excessive use, to avoid work that will cause excessive load on the wrist
• Painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs
• Wrist exercises
• Wrist splints, night splints
• Local or systemic cortisone injections are sufficient for most people.

However, if the complaints do not improve, the complaints start again in time, and if there are signs of severe damage to the nerve at the beginning, the permanent solution is to release the nerve with a simple surgical intervention. Under local or general anesthesia, with a 1-2 cm incision made from the wrist to the palm using a microscope, the band on the nerve is cut and the compression of the nerve is removed. This method causes lasting relief. After the wrist rest for 7-10 days after the operation, the patient returns to his normal life.