Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Overview

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS)

• Compression of the median nerve in the wrist's carpal tunnel leads to nerve-related symptoms.
• Tinel's sign is characterized by tingling or pain elicited by tapping over the median nerve.
• CTS affects the thumb, index finger, middle finger, and half of the ring finger due to median nerve innervation.
• Tingling of the small finger is not typical in CTS, as it is innervated by the ulnar nerve.

Causes

• Causes of CTS include repetitive hand movements, wrist anatomy variations, and conditions like arthritis or diabetes.

Symptoms

• Common symptoms include numbness, tingling, and weakness in the affected fingers.
• Symptoms often worsen at night or with activities involving hand use.

Nerve and Symptom Distribution

• Symptoms are distributed along the areas innervated by the median nerve.
• Pain may radiate to the forearm or shoulder in severe cases.

Diagnostic Signs

• Phalen's maneuver leads to symptom reproduction when holding the wrist in flexion.
• Hand symptoms worsen during specific activities, indicating CTS.

Diagnosis

• Diagnosis often includes clinical evaluation, symptom history, and physical tests.
• An electromyography (EMG) study may be required for confirmation of nerve compression.

Treatment

• Initial treatments may involve wrist splints, anti-inflammatory medications, and activity modification.
• Severe cases or those unresponsive to conservative treatment may require surgery.

Insurance and Diagnosis

• Insurance may require EMG confirmation prior to surgical intervention approval.

Explore the key aspects of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS), including its causes, symptoms, and diagnostic signs. Understand how the median nerve affects sensation in the fingers and the significance of tests like Tinel's sign and Phalen's maneuver. This quiz will enhance your knowledge about CTS and its impact on hand function.