Carpal tunnel syndrome occurs when there is compression of the median nerve at the wrist. It is a common injury in certain sports but is also increasingly common due to the use of the mouse and keyboard.
What are the symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome?
The symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome are:
- Pain at the level of the wrist, which can extend even to the elbow or fingers.
- Alterations in the sensitivity of the first 4 fingers of the hand.
- Weakness of the hand, when the disease is very advanced.
- Loss of strength in the hands, when the pathology progresses.
How to diagnose carpal tunnel syndrome?
The diagnosis on the part of the specialist in Traumatology will be made with the clinic, by means of a neurological exploration and with an electromyogram. This last test is very useful because it will not only determine if the nerve is trapped but also the severity of the median nerve entrapment.
How to treat carpal tunnel syndrome?
If it is a mild compression the patient will do rehabilitation and, on some occasions, will also wear unloading splints (usually at night). If the compression is moderate-severe, surgical decompression is advised to avoid further nerve damage. It is a minimally invasive procedure that can be done on an outpatient basis, i.e., it is not necessary for the patient to stay in the hospital.