Carpal tunnel syndrome: Difference between revisions

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*Etiology: repetitive wrist flexion/extension, trauma, edema
*Etiology: repetitive wrist flexion/extension, trauma, edema


===Risk factors===
==Risk factors==
*Female sex<ref>Kothari MJ. Carpal tunnel syndrome: Etiology and epidemiology. Post TW, ed. UpToDate. UpToDate Inc. Accessed May 21, 2020.</ref>
*[[Rheumatoid arthritis]] and other connective tissue diseases
*[[Diabetes mellitus]]
*[[Diabetes mellitus]]
*[[Amyloidosis]]
*[[Amyloidosis]]
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==Clinical Features==
==Clinical Features==
===History===
===History===
*Pain, paresthesia, and numbness in distribution of median nerve
*Pain, [[paresthesia]], and [[numbness]] in distribution of median nerve
**Palmar aspect of thumb, index, middle, and radial aspect of ring finger
**Palmar aspect of thumb, index, middle, and radial aspect of ring finger
*Awakening at night with burning pain and tingling in hand
*Awakening at night with burning pain and tingling in hand
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**SN 0.64 and SP 0.83
**SN 0.64 and SP 0.83
**More sensitive and specific than Tinel and Phalen in earlier studies<ref>Durkan, JA. A new diagnostic test for carpal tunnel syndrome, The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery. 1991; 73(4):535–538.</ref>
**More sensitive and specific than Tinel and Phalen in earlier studies<ref>Durkan, JA. A new diagnostic test for carpal tunnel syndrome, The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery. 1991; 73(4):535–538.</ref>
*Hand Elevation Test
**Performed by having patient elevated both hands above the head
**Positive if paresthesia, numbness, or dull pain felt within two minutes
**SN 0.87 and SP 0.89<ref>Ma H, Kim I. The diagnostic assessment of hand elevation test in carpal tunnel syndrome. J Korean Neurosurg Soc. 2012;52(5):472-475. doi:10.3340/jkns.2012.52.5.472</ref>
*May see atrophy of thenar eminence in advanced cases
[[File: Untreated_Carpal_Tunnel_Syndrome.JPG|thumb|Severe atrophy of the bilateral thenar eminences from untreated carpal tunnel syndrome]]


==Differential Diagnosis==
==Differential Diagnosis==
===By Type of Lestion===
===By Type of Lesion===
====Proximal Lesion====
====Proximal Lesion====
*[[Spinal cord compression (non-traumatic)|Spinal cord lesion]]
*[[Spinal cord compression (non-traumatic)|Spinal cord lesion]]
*[[Neck pain|Cervical redicular pain]]
*[[Neck pain|Cervical radicular pain]]
*Thoracic outlet syndrome
*[[Thoracic outlet syndrome]]
*[[Multiple Sclerosis (MS)]]
*[[Multiple Sclerosis (MS)]]
====Distal Lesion====
====Distal Lesion====
*Ulna neuropathy
*Ulna neuropathy
====Systemic condition====
====Systemic condition====
*Raynaud syndrome
*[[Raynaud’s disease|Raynaud syndrome]]
*[[Pregnancy (Main)]]
*[[Pregnancy (Main)]]
*[[Anemia|B12 deficiency]]
*[[Anemia|B12 deficiency]]
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*[[NSAIDs]] (although not clearly effective)
*[[NSAIDs]] (although not clearly effective)
*[[Diuretics]] (if edema is significant contributor to patient's symptoms)
*[[Diuretics]] (if edema is significant contributor to patient's symptoms)
[[File: splint.jpg|thumb|Splint in neutral position]]


==Disposition==
==Disposition==

Revision as of 12:28, 3 September 2021

Background

  • Also known as "Median Mononeuropathy"
  • Most common focal mononeuropathy
  • Results from compression of median nerve at wrist where it traverses the carpal tunnel
  • Median nerve provides sensation to the palmar aspect digits 1-3 and radial side of 4th
  • Etiology: repetitive wrist flexion/extension, trauma, edema

Risk factors

Clinical Features

History

  • Pain, paresthesia, and numbness in distribution of median nerve
    • Palmar aspect of thumb, index, middle, and radial aspect of ring finger
  • Awakening at night with burning pain and tingling in hand

Physical

  • Sensation testing
    • Most specific - splitting of 4th digit in which medial aspect of 4th digit normal and lateral aspect abnormal
    • Most sensitive - abnormal sensation of distal palmar tip of 2nd digit
  • LOAF muscle weakness as compared to other hand - Lumbricals, with thumb Opposition, Abduction, Flexion
  • Tinel sign - poorly sensitive and specific
    • Tapping on palmar aspect of wrist reuslts in electric shock sensation shooting into hand
    • SN 0.50 and SP 0.77[2]
  • Phalen maneuver
    • Holding wrists in flexion for 60 seconds evokes or worsens symptoms
    • SN 0.68 and SP 0.73[3]
  • Durkan sign
    • Manual compression of carpal tunnel reproduces symptoms after 30 seconds
    • SN 0.64 and SP 0.83
    • More sensitive and specific than Tinel and Phalen in earlier studies[4]
  • Hand Elevation Test
    • Performed by having patient elevated both hands above the head
    • Positive if paresthesia, numbness, or dull pain felt within two minutes
    • SN 0.87 and SP 0.89[5]
  • May see atrophy of thenar eminence in advanced cases
Severe atrophy of the bilateral thenar eminences from untreated carpal tunnel syndrome

Differential Diagnosis

By Type of Lesion

Proximal Lesion

Distal Lesion

  • Ulna neuropathy

Systemic condition

Upper extremity peripheral nerve syndromes

Median Nerve Syndromes

Ulnar Nerve Syndromes

Radial Nerve Syndromes

Proximal Neuropathies

Other

Management

  • See this American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons clinical decision tool for treatment options and disposition - CTS guidelines
  • Behavioral modification
  • Wrist splint with wrist in neutral position
  • NSAIDs (although not clearly effective)
  • Diuretics (if edema is significant contributor to patient's symptoms)
Splint in neutral position

Disposition

  • Discharge

See Also

References

  1. Kothari MJ. Carpal tunnel syndrome: Etiology and epidemiology. Post TW, ed. UpToDate. UpToDate Inc. Accessed May 21, 2020.
  2. MacDermid JC and Wessel J. Clinical diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome: a systematic review. J Hand Ther. 2004; 17(2):309.
  3. MacDermid JC and Wessel J. Clinical diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome: a systematic review. J Hand Ther. 2004; 17(2):309.
  4. Durkan, JA. A new diagnostic test for carpal tunnel syndrome, The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery. 1991; 73(4):535–538.
  5. Ma H, Kim I. The diagnostic assessment of hand elevation test in carpal tunnel syndrome. J Korean Neurosurg Soc. 2012;52(5):472-475. doi:10.3340/jkns.2012.52.5.472