Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

It is the most common entrapment neuropathy.
It is usually seen amongst middle aged women. Women/Men ratio is 4/1. Median nerve is exposed to pressure inside the carpal tunnel.
There may not be a specific etiology. However, it is more common in people who do handwork and who have rheumatismal diseases.

Patients wake up with a numb hand especially in the night; there is numbness in palmar side (outer hand) of radial half (the half near the thumb) of the thumb, middle finger, ring finger.
Weakness in tenar muscle or atrophy may be present. Phalen test and Tinel’s sign may be positive. Sensorial symptoms may imitate c6 or c7 radiculopathy.
However, it is normal because c6 and c7 muscles are innervated from the proximal of carpal tunnel.
Treatment is medical, physical and surgical. Advanced cases are operated immediately.
In cases with medium or slight pressure, medical treatment and physiotherapy can be tried firstly.

It is the operation of microsurgical removal of the pressure on the nerve under local anesthesia.
Clinical recovery is almost complete. It is a safe operation and easy in experienced hands.