Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is becoming more common thanks to the extensive use of computers and poor body mechanics. Remember you want your elbow at a 90-degree angle when you are typing and for your hands to be perfectly flat over the keyboard, no extension or flexion of the wrist! What Is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome? Compression of the median nerve between the carpal ligament and other structures within the carpal tunnel Entrapment of nerve results in pain or tingling Causes of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Repetitive motion, specifically typing at a bad angle Improper desk posture Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Symptoms Burning, aching, tingling pain in the hand  and wrist starting from the middle of the 4th finger towards the thumb Pain can radiate to the forearm “Acroparesthesia” –  awakening at night with numbness Positive Tinel’s test: tapping the medial nerve results in pain and burning Positive Phalen’s maneuver: placing the hands together upside down with the outer side of the hand and wrist touching

Once you present with symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome your healthcare provider will begin a medical work up to either diagnose or rule out carpal tunnel syndrome. Testing for carpal tunnel includes imagine and physical exam by medical provider. Imaging: to look at the radial nerve, in carpal tunnel you will often see swelling of the area around the nerve and/or compression of the nerve Electromygram (EMG) Nerve conduction studies X-ray of wrist Physical exam : includes the phalnes and tinels tests Phalens test: place hands back to back upside down for 60 seconds, tingling and pain will be produced in those with carpal tunnel Tinels: tap the inside of the wrist over the radial nerve, pain or tingling will occur in those with carpal tunnel Treatment: for carpal tunnel begins with lifestyle changes and pain medication Limit activity that produces symptoms Splint the hand and forearm Medications NSAIDS (Advil or Motrin) to reduce inflammation and pain Steroid injections at 6 week intervals to reduce inflammation and pain Surgical treatment: may be needed if lifestyle changes and rest do not improve symptoms Surgery for those who are not experiencing relief with limited activity and medications Release the transverse carpal ligament 10% will not respond due to nerve damage