Sunday, April 11, 2010

CARPAL TUNNEL SYNDROME

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) or median neuropathy at the wrist, is a medical condition in which the median nerve is compressed at the wrist,leading to parasthesias, numbness and muscle weakness in the hand. Night symptoms and waking up at night is a characteristic of established carpal tunnel syndrome. They can be managed effectively with night-time wrist splinting in most patients.

The definitive treatment for carpal tunnel system release surgery. This is effective at relieving symptoms and preventing further nerve damage, but established nerve dysfunction in the form of static numbness, atrophy, or weakness are usualy permanent.

Most cases of CTS are idiopathic. Some patients are genetically predisposed to develop the condition.

The diagnosis of CTS is often misapplied to patients who have activity-related arm pain, such as repetitive strain injury (RSI).

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