Introduction:
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) is one of the most well-known nerve entrapment syndromes. This occurs when the medial nerve is pressed at the wrist. As a result, this causes a tingling sensation and weakness in the wrist and hand. Patients who have CTS are probably suffering from Occupational Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. This is due to a combination of factors, increased pressure on the median nerve and tendons rather than the actual nerve itself. CTS affects women twice as much as men and the manifestation occurs between the ages of 40-70 years old. Though occupation and stress are one of the major causes of CTS can also be a result of trauma or injury to the wrist, sprains or fractures, rheumatoid arthritis, and repeated use of vibrating …show more content…
There are three main parts that are involved in CTS, the carpal tunnel, the flexor tendons, and the medial nerve. The carpal tunnel is a pathway that forms underneath the strong, broad transverse ligament. This ligament extends across the lower palm and connects the bones of the wrist (carpals) and that forms an arch below the tunnel. Inside the tunnel lies the medial nerve and the nine flexor tendons. The flexor tendons are fibrous cords that connect to the muscle of the forearm the fingers and thumb. These tendons allow for flexion and clenching of the fist. The medial nerve plays one of the most important parts of the hand. It supplies sensation to the palm side of the thumb, index, middle finger, and ring finger, and to the flexor tendons. The medial nerve also provides a function for the muscles at the base of the thumb. The nerve travels through the carpal tunnel and because the nerve is not very flexible any swelling can add pressure on the median nerve. The pressure can cut off blood flow and over time cause damage to the muscle making it difficult to have complete function of the …show more content…
This type of surgery is one of the most common procedures in the united states. Open release surgery is the most traditional carpal tunnel correction surgery. The procedure starts by making an incision up to two inches long in the wrist exposing the carpal tunnel. Once the opened the carpal ligament is cut and the carpal tunnel is widened. The patients are under local anesthesia during the procedure, but the should be able to return home on the same day. Because this is a surgery there are some risk factors that everyone should be aware of. It can take a few months for the wrist to completely heal and get back to fully functioning and most patients seek physical therapy to regain strength in their wrist since it will be weak after cutting the carpal ligament. Lastly, those who go through with the surgery generally do not have further carpal tunnel related problems.
Conclusion:
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is one of the most common injuries that can happen in day to day life. Though women are two times more likely to develop CTS due to occupation men can develop it just as easily. CTS can be readily treated, but when symptoms start to arise it’s best to seek medical attention before there is serious damage to the nerve. If the problem persists for more than six months then surgery might be the only option to relieve the
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) is one of the most well-known nerve entrapment syndromes. This occurs when the medial nerve is pressed at the wrist. As a result, this causes a tingling sensation and weakness in the wrist and hand. Patients who have CTS are probably suffering from Occupational Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. This is due to a combination of factors, increased pressure on the median nerve and tendons rather than the actual nerve itself. CTS affects women twice as much as men and the manifestation occurs between the ages of 40-70 years old. Though occupation and stress are one of the major causes of CTS can also be a result of trauma or injury to the wrist, sprains or fractures, rheumatoid arthritis, and repeated use of vibrating …show more content…
There are three main parts that are involved in CTS, the carpal tunnel, the flexor tendons, and the medial nerve. The carpal tunnel is a pathway that forms underneath the strong, broad transverse ligament. This ligament extends across the lower palm and connects the bones of the wrist (carpals) and that forms an arch below the tunnel. Inside the tunnel lies the medial nerve and the nine flexor tendons. The flexor tendons are fibrous cords that connect to the muscle of the forearm the fingers and thumb. These tendons allow for flexion and clenching of the fist. The medial nerve plays one of the most important parts of the hand. It supplies sensation to the palm side of the thumb, index, middle finger, and ring finger, and to the flexor tendons. The medial nerve also provides a function for the muscles at the base of the thumb. The nerve travels through the carpal tunnel and because the nerve is not very flexible any swelling can add pressure on the median nerve. The pressure can cut off blood flow and over time cause damage to the muscle making it difficult to have complete function of the …show more content…
This type of surgery is one of the most common procedures in the united states. Open release surgery is the most traditional carpal tunnel correction surgery. The procedure starts by making an incision up to two inches long in the wrist exposing the carpal tunnel. Once the opened the carpal ligament is cut and the carpal tunnel is widened. The patients are under local anesthesia during the procedure, but the should be able to return home on the same day. Because this is a surgery there are some risk factors that everyone should be aware of. It can take a few months for the wrist to completely heal and get back to fully functioning and most patients seek physical therapy to regain strength in their wrist since it will be weak after cutting the carpal ligament. Lastly, those who go through with the surgery generally do not have further carpal tunnel related problems.
Conclusion:
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is one of the most common injuries that can happen in day to day life. Though women are two times more likely to develop CTS due to occupation men can develop it just as easily. CTS can be readily treated, but when symptoms start to arise it’s best to seek medical attention before there is serious damage to the nerve. If the problem persists for more than six months then surgery might be the only option to relieve the