Overview
What is carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS)?
Which studies are performed in the initial workup of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS)?
What is the role of electrophysiologic testing in the workup of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS)?
What is the role of ultrasonography in the workup of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS)?
What is the role of MRI in the workup of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS)?
What is included in the initial management of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS)?
What is the efficacy of wrist splinting for the treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS)?
What is the role of steroid injections in the treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS)?
What is the role of surgery in the treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS)?
What is the pathophysiology of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS)?
What is the cause of nerve damage in carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS)?
Which factors increase the risk for carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS)?
What is the incidence of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) in the US?
What is the global incidence of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS)?
What is progression of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) if left untreated?
What are the racial predilections of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS)?
How does the incidence of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) vary by sex?
How does the incidence of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) vary by age?
Presentation
What are the signs and symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS)?
How is pain characterized in carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS)?
What are the autonomic symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS)?
How is muscle weakness characterized in carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS)?
What is the role of physical exam in the evaluation of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS)?
Which sensory exam findings are characteristic of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS)?
Which motor exam findings are characteristic of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS)?
What is the role of the Hoffman-Tinel sign in the evaluation of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS)?
What is the role of the Phalen sign in the diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS)?
What is the role of the carpal compression test in the evaluation of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS)?
What is the role of palpatory testing in the evaluation of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS)?
What is the role of the square wrist sign in the evaluation of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS)?
What is the role of hand usage in the etiology of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS)?
What are the demographic risk factors for carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS)?
What is the role of genetics in the etiology of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS)?
Which medical conditions are associated with carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS)?
What are the vocational/avocational risk factors for carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS)?
What are risk factors for carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS)?
DDX
Which conditions should be included in the differential diagnoses of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS)?
What are the differential diagnoses for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?
Workup
What is the role of lab studies in the workup of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS)?
What is the role of imaging studies in the workup of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS)?
What is the role of MRI in the workup of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS)?
What is the role of ultrasonography in the workup of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS)?
What are the initial studies performed in the workup of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS)?
What is the role of electrophysiologic testing in the workup of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS)?
What is the role of thermography and vibrometry in the workup of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS)?
Treatment
What is the role of physical therapy in the treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS)?
What are the therapeutic options for carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS)?
What is the role of occupational therapy in the treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS)?
What is the efficacy of conservative medical treatment for carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS)?
What is the efficacy of steroid injections for treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS)?
What is the role of anticonvulsants in the treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS)?
What is the role of NSAIDS and diuretics in the treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS)?
What is the role of surgery in the treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS)?
What is the efficacy of surgical intervention for carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS)?
Which specialist consultations are beneficial in the management of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS)?
What are promising treatment options for carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS)?
Guidelines
Medications
Which medications are used in the treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS)?
Follow-up
What is the long-term monitoring needed following treatment for carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS)?
How is carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) prevented?
What are the complications of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS)?
What is the prognosis of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS)?
What is included in patient education about carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS)?
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The hands of an 80-year-old woman with a several-year history of numbness and weakness are shown in this photo. Note severe thenar muscle (abductor pollicis brevis, opponens pollicis) wasting of the right hand, with preservation of hypothenar eminence.
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Sensory nerve conduction studies from the left hand of a patient with a several-year history of numbness and weakness (responses from the median nerve in the right hand were completely absent). Note marked slowing of the conduction velocity (CV) to 29.8 and 25.5 m/s for digits 3 and 1, respectively (normal >50 m/s). The amplitude for both also is reduced markedly (normal >10). These findings are consistent with carpal tunnel syndrome.
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Motor nerve conduction studies from the left hand of a patient with a several-year history of numbness and weakness (responses from the median nerve in the right hand were completely absent). Note that the conduction velocity (CV) across the carpal tunnel segment slows severely to 18.3 m/s (normal >50 m/s) and that the distal motor latency is prolonged at 6.3 ms (normal < 4.2 ms). Amplitudes are low for the wrist and elbow stimulus sites at 4.7 mV (normal >5 mV), but amplitudes are 31% higher distal to the carpal tunnel (at the palm). This discrepancy may represent conduction block (neurapraxia) at the level of the carpal tunnel or coactivation of the ulnar branch to adductor pollicis. Needle electromyography is required to determine whether axonal loss is present.