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Research Paper On Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

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Introduction Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is a painful repetitive motion injury in the wrist that can develop in one or both hands. The syndrome starts as a numbness in the palm and spreads to the fingers that are innervate by the median nerve. If the condition worsens, pain can replace the numbness and spread to the elbows and shoulders, effecting your activities of daily living. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is increasingly reported every year and tends to effects women more then men due to pregnancy. Thankfully, it has many different treatment plans that can cure or help decrease the pain in the afflicted extremities. This is a great relief and interest to many people who have developed this syndrome. (1)
Etiology
The cause of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome …show more content…

For instance, other inflammatory condition like rheumatoid arthritis, gout, and pseudo-gout. As well as metabolic conditions like hypothyroidism, diabetes mellitus and acromegaly. The list can go on. (1-2)
Pathophysiology
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, in regards to its pathophysiology is simple by nature, but knowing the anatomy of this problem is key. The carpal tunnel is located on the anterior side of both wrists. The length extends from the distal wrist skin crease and up 3cm towards the elbow, with the width under one inch. The boundaries consist of three sides of carpal bone, the posterior and both lateral sides, and a fibrous tissue called the flexor retinaculum on the anterior side. The flexor retinaculum is attached to the pisiform and hamate carpal bone on the medial side of the wrist and stretched across towards the scaphoid and trapezium carpal bone on the lateral side, forming an arch. Inside the tunnel is the medial nerve and nine extrinsic flexor muscle tendons: the flexor digitorum profundus, the flexor digitorum superficialis and the flexor pollicis …show more content…

Wrist orthotics is based off of the theory that CTS symptoms would improve with rest and relaxation of the muscles. If worn at night with little repetitive movement during the day, patient have the chance to lessen their carpal tunnel pain. Studies have show that wearing a wrist othotic at night for 12 weeks can 1) improve median motor action potential, 2) shorten nerve latency and 3) increase median sensory velocity. However, it make no significant difference with your performance with functional activities. After the six week mark, a wrist orthosis can alleviate the pressure and promote regeneration of the median nerve.

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