Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome describes a condition in which one will experience a tingling feeling, numbness or pain in the hand. This is caused by pressure on the median nerveA nerve in the upper limb, one of the five main nerves originating from the spine, proceeding through the neck, the axilla (armpit region), and into the arm (Source: Wikipedia). that lies in the wrist and travels through the carpal tunnel.

The carpal tunnel is a narrow structure located where the palm of the hand and the forearm meet. This tunnel contains the transverse carpal ligament and wrist bones and leads the tendons and the median nerve, one of the main nerves in our upper limb. The pressure on the median nerve, that causes the pain or tingling, is due to swelling of the tissue that can be caused by an illness or a different problem which causes the tunnel space to become smaller and tighter.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Video

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Causes

CTS is a condition that is more common in woman than in men. There are some known factors that cause the tunnel tissues (called synovium) to crowd and pressure the nerve:

• Family history of small carpal tunnels
• Wrist injuries and bone spurs in the hand
• Repeating the same hand movements, especially when the wrist is bent down
• Age. The disease is more common in older people
• Medical diseases: rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes and thyroid gland imbalance can lead to this condition
• Hormonal changes in the body (often due to pregnancy)

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Treatments

CTS will worsen as time progresses if not treated. If detected early, your physician will probably begin with mild treatment options as in its early stages carpal tunnel syndrome can be treated without surgery.

The doctor can try to treat the disease with anti-inflammatory pain medication for one, or steroid injections that will provide relief. The doctor can also recommend the patient wears a hand brace at night to keep the wrist in a neutral position. A final option will be to recommend the patient changes his types of activities and avoid hand positions that aggravate the symptoms.

If the CTS is in a progressive stage, there is the surgical option. The surgery is supposed to relieve the pressure within the tunnel. During the procedure, the surgeon will cut the ligament at the top of the carpal tunnel in order to make room in the tunnel for the median nerve. This surgery can be performed in an open surgery method, in which the doctor will have a better look at the inside tissue as the hand will be surgically opened, or in the Endoscopic method that includes smaller incisions and the use of a camera in order to cut the ligament. The second method leads to a faster recovery of course.

After surgery you will be moved in to the recovery room and released from the hospital after a few hours to continue recovery. It is important you do not go back to activities that could have been the trigger for the appearance of the carpal tunnel syndrome to begin with.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Surgery Abroad

If you have been diagnoses with a severe carpal tunnel syndrome condition that requires surgery, you want to have it done as soon as possible and not wait for the condition to get worse. TicketMed works with the best orthopedic surgeons available and will be happy to assist and guide you in the decision process on your way to surgery abroad. Contact us or ask for a quote.