Median Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

In addition, clay wedging, throwing, and building can cause hand and wrist injuries, including median nerve damage resulting in carpal tunnel syndrome (identified by numbness in the thumb and first three fingers). 

To minimize clay dust inhalation, it is best to buy premixed clay. Potters should change clothes before leaving their work area. Fresh clay should be used to minimize bacteria and mold growth. To avoid median nerve damage and resulting carpal tunnel syndrome, the potter s wrist should be unflexed frequently. A face mask can be worn when clay dust is present. 

Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) The result of compression of the median nerve in the carpal tunnel of the wrist. 

A repetitive strain injury. It is caused by compression of the median nerve in the carpal tunnel. Often associated with tingling, pain, or numbness in the thumb and first three fingers. Carpal Hinnel Syndrome is the number one reported medical problem, accounting for about 50 percent of all work-related injuries. Carpal tunnel syndrome results in the highest number of days lost among all work-related injuries in the United States. Almost half of the carpal tunnel cases result in 31 days or more of work loss per the National Center for Health Statistics. 

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome— The compression and entrapment of the median nerve where it passes through the wrist into the hand via the carpal tunnel. 

Tine sign by tapping over the volar carpal ligament, pain or paresthesias may be produced over the distribution of the median nerve in a case of carpal tunnel syndrome (Fig. 84-2). 

In carpal tunnel syndrome, the median nerve is compressed in the tunnel by fibrous bands, scar tissue from chronic inflammation or microtrauma, arthritis, or myxedema caused by hypothyroidism. The edema of pregnancy can create a carpal tunnel syndrome. Somatic dysfunction ofthe carpal bones can be a cause of carpal tunnel syndrome. 

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome A common affliction caused by the compression of the median nerve in the carpal tnnnel. It is often characterized by tingling, pain, or numbness in the thnmb and first three fingers. It is often associated with repeated wrist flexion. 

El-Karabaty H, Hetzel A, Galla TJ et al (2005) The effect of carpal tunnel release on median nerve flattening and nerve conduction. Electromyogr Clin Neurophysiol 45 223-227 El Miedany YM, Aty SA, Ashour S (2004) Ultrasonography versus nerve conduction study in patients with carpal tunnel syndrome substantive or complementary tests Rheumatology 43 887-895... 

Nadkar MY, Agarwal R, Samant RS et al (2001) Neuropathy in rheumatoid arthritis. J Assoc Physicians India 49 217-220 Nakamichi K, Tachibana S (1995) Restricted motion of the median nerve in carpal tunnel syndrome. J Hand Surg [Br] 20 460-464... 

Fig. 10.10 a,b. Clinical tests for evaluation of carpal tunnel syndrome, a The Tinel sign elicits paresthesias by tapping the median nerve at the palmar crease, b The Phalen sign provokes paresthesias at the end of the range of flexion of the wrist... 

Fig. 10.54 a,b. Carpal tunnel syndrome in tenosynovitis of flexor tendons. Same case as illustrated in Fig. 10.53. a,b Transverse 12-5 MHz US images obtained a at the distal radius and b at the proximal carpal tunnel level. Note that an abundant anechoic effusion (asterisks) in the sheath of flexor tendon (ft) is better demonstrated at the distal radius rather than inside the carpal tunnel. This finding is related to a lesser degree of sheath compliance within the restricted space of the tunnel. In b, carpal tunnel disease is mostly indicated by the abnormal bulging of the transverse carpal ligament (arrowheads). MN, median nerve... 

Fig. 10.56a,b. Carpal tunnel syndrome in amyloid arthropathy, a Longitudinal 12-5 MHz US image through the carpal tunnel with b diagram correlation shows the bulk of amyloid substance (asterisks) contained in the deep portion of the tunnel that compresses the flexor tendons (ft) and the median nerve (MN) against the flexor retinaculum (arrowheads). The patient had chronic renal failure and underwent long-term hemodialysis... 

Nakamichi KI, Tachibana S (2000) Enlarged median nerve in idiopathic carpal tunnel syndrome. Muscle Nerve 23 1713-1718... 

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