Hand Surgery

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, CTS, Medianus Compression Syndrome, Brachialgia Paraesthetica Nocturna I

Cause / Development

The term carpal tunnel syndrome describes a nerve tightening in the hand. The cause of the disease can usually not be determined with absolute certainty. Trauma, inflammation (carpal tunnel inflammation) or degenerative changes may result in damages to the medianus nerve.
The medianus nerve runs under the cross section of the wrist band that spans between the ball of the thumb and of the small finger. This band forms the roof of a tunnel (carpal tunnel). This tunnel is too tight in people suffering from carpal tunnel syndrome. As a result, the nervus medianus is subjected to pressure that damages it. As a consequence, thumb ball muscle strength may be lost.

Symptoms

In many cases, the disease begins with what is commonly referred to as numbness and tingling in the thumb, index and middle finger. The pain usually arises when the wrist is in certain positions (while one the phone, riding a bike, etc.). However, pain may also occur when the area us under no stress whatsoever. The pressure on the nerve causes pain, which is especially severe at night. This pain may not only affect the entire length of the arm, but also the shoulders. The symptoms of the disease may progress and result in a permanent feeling of numbness, which extends in particular to the thumb, index and middle finger. If the disease remains untreated for many years it may cause a loss of the strength in the thumb ball muscles. In this case the thumb can no longer interact forcefully with the other fingers.

next