What is it?

The carpal tunnel syndrome is a condition in which the median nerve is compressed at the wrist. The "carpal tunnel" is the space in the wrist where flexor tendons of the fingers are squeezed against the nerve.

The increase in volume of the tunnel structures cause nerve crushing (edema for fractures, traumas, arthritis, cysts, tendons inflammation). However, in many cases the cause is not clear. Sometimes it is precisely the nerve to be involved (diabetic neuropathy, cervical compression from cervical hernia).

One woman out of 4 suffers from this disease and it is very common among manual workers and people who use the mouse.

Among the most common causes:

- Unknown origin
- Pregnancy, diabetes, thyroid diseases, rheumatoid arthritis
- Fractures of the bones of the hand and wrist
- Tendinitis
- Repeated manual work
- Rheumatoid arthritis

What are the symptoms

- Sensitivity alterations (hand numb, heavy, hot, cold, tingling)
- Night tingling, burning sensation
- Falling objects from the hands
- Difficulty opening a bottle, turning a key Strength decrease
- Wrist swelling
- Difficulty moving hand, especially in the morning
- Pain radiating from hand up to the arm
- Neck pain

They can be completely silent.

How is it treated?

Surgery is used to change the natural progression of the disease, restoring retracted fingers motility. As skin plication may cause ulcers, diseased skin removal is necessary to prevent infections. Today various mini-invasive surgeries solve even serious disabilities caused by fingers’ flexed position.