What is carpal tunnel syndrome?

4 May 2021

This is a condition in which the median nerve (which runs from the forearm to the palm of the hand) is pressed, causing pain, stiffness, numbness, lack of strength, and tingling in the hand or arm, depending on the degree of pressure.

The carpal tunnel is in the palm of the hand which, as its name implies, is a small passage between the bones and ligaments in that area.

Signs and symptoms Carpal tunnel syndrome

The median nerve is responsible for movement and sensation of the forearm and hand, so when it is swollen or pressed by the narrowing of the carpal tunnel, it can cause serious symptoms that can be progressive, including:

Weakness in hand and arm.
Numbness.
Tingling.
Insomnia.

You should see your doctor when the symptoms are evident and increasing, since if you do not receive the appropriate treatment there could be muscle and nerve injuries.

Potential risks:

There are multiple factors associated with carpal tunnel syndrome that, although their direct incidence has not been proven, can increase the risk of developing it:

Wrist fractures or injuries.
Gender: it is more frequent in women, since the carpal tunnel is narrower in them.
Diabetes.
Arthritis.
Obesity.
Body fluid retention.
Menopause, thyroid diseases, and kidney failure.
Excessive use of the computer due to the posture when writing.

Diagnosis and treatment Carpal tunnel syndrome

After a physical examination and analysis of your clinical history, x-rays, electromyography, and nerve conduction studies will be requested to confirm the diagnosis and to be able to choose the appropriate treatment, which should reduce numbness and tingling, restoring movement. If not, immobilization of the wrist with a temporary sleep splint may be used, in addition to taking painkillers and anti-inflammatories.

If the treatment does not work and the symptoms worsen, the only option is surgery to relieve pressure on the median nerve by cutting the ligament that is pressing on it.

At the Orthopedics and Traumatology Center we seek to improve the lives of patients restricted or immobilized by musculoskeletal disorders or injuries. We specialize in the care of the locomotor system by integrating the latest medical, biological, and technological advances, in strict adherence to the highest international standards of patient care.

We put our skills and knowledge at your service to provide you and your loved ones with cutting-edge treatments and highly specialized medical care in the following procedures:

Arthroscopic surgery.
Partial and total joint replacement surgery (prostheses).
Trauma surgery.
Hand surgery.
Foot and ankle surgery.
Spinal surgery.

We treat injuries such as:

Dislocation.
Chronic bone and joint diseases.
Ligaments.
Spinal diseases.
Joint replacements.

Related centers and departments Carpal tunnel syndrome

Fuentes:

arthritis.org
mayoclinic.org
msdmanuals.com
fisioterapia-online.com
medigraphic.com
Buenaño MHF, Muyulema AJC, Buenaño BEN, et al. Ergonomía y reumatología. De la prevención al tratamiento del síndrome del túnel carpiano. Rev Cub de Reu. 2017;19(Suppl: 1):195-201.
Garmendia GF, Díaz SFW, Rostan RD. Síndrome del túnel carpiano. Revista Habanera de Ciencias Médicas. 2014;13(5):728-741.
Rodríguez NMJ, Hernández ZMS, Montoya PA, et al. Valoración clínica y neurofisiológica del tratamiento rehabilitador en pacientes con síndrome del túnel carpiano . MediSan. 2013;17(01):109-116.
Ezquerra-Herrando L, Gómez-Vallejo J, Corella-Abenia E, et al. Factores pronósticos en la cirugía del síndrome del túnel carpiano. Acta Ortop Mex. 2014;28(3):160-163.

How can we help you?

The dissemination of the content of this material is for informational purposes only and does not replace, under any circumstance or condition, a consultation with a specialist doctor, for which the ABC Medical Center is not responsible for the different use that may be given to it. If you require more information related to the subject, we suggest you contact the specialist doctor you trust directly.

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Comparison of COVID-19 vaccines

Pfizer-
BioNTech

Pfizer-BioNTech

What is its effectiveness and what does it refer to?

Vaccine type: mRNA
Effectiveness: 95% after the second dose in the prevention of symptomatic COVID-19.

No Does not contain egg, latex, or preservatives.

How many doses are needed?
Two doses are needed, at least 21 days apart (or up to six weeks apart, if necessary).

Who should or shouldn’t get the vaccine?
People who should receive the vaccine are those over 16 years old.
People who should not receive the vaccine are those who have a history of anaphylactic shock (severe allergy) or who are allergic to any component of this vaccine such as polyethylene glycol (PEG) or polysorbate.

What are the possible side effects of the vaccine?
Pain where the injection was given, fatigue, headache, muscle pain, chills, joint pain, fever, nausea, malaise, and swollen lymph nodes.

How long will it take for me to be protected and what does it protect me from?
After 14 days of having the complete scheme (after the administration of the 2nd dose), the protection period is still under study. It protects us from serious COVID-19 or requiring hospitalization.

Moderna

What is its effectiveness and what does it refer to?

Vaccine type: mRNA
Effectiveness: 94.5% after the second dose in the prevention of symptomatic COVID-19.

Does not contain egg, latex, or preservatives.

How many doses are needed?
Two doses are needed, at least 28 days apart (or up to six weeks apart, if necessary).

Who should or shouldn’t get the vaccine?
People who should receive the vaccine are those over 18 years old.
People who should not receive the vaccine are those who have a history of anaphylactic shock (severe allergy) or who are allergic to any component of this vaccine.

What are the possible side effects of the vaccine?
Pain where the injection was given, fatigue, headache, muscle pain, chills, joint pain, fever, nausea, and swollen lymph nodes in the arm in which you received the injection.

Janssen/
Johnson
& Johnson

Janssen/ Johnson & Johnson

What is its effectiveness and what does it refer to?

Vector-based vaccine.
Effectiveness: 72.0% in the prevention of symptomatic COVID-19.
85% in the prevention of severe COVID-19.

Does not contain egg, latex, or preservatives./strong>

How many doses are needed?
Only one dose in needed.

What are the possible side effects of the vaccine?
Pain where the injection was given, headache, fatigue, muscle pain, chills, fever, and nausea.

How long will it take for me to be protected and what does it protect me from?
After 28 days of having the complete scheme (the last dose applied), the protection period is still under study. It protects us from 85% serious COVID-19 or requiring hospitalization.

AstraZeneca
and
Oxford
University

AstraZeneca and Oxford University

What is its effectiveness and what does it refer to?

Adenovirus vector-based vaccine.
Effectiveness: 82% after the second dose in the prevention of symptomatic COVID-19.

How many doses are needed?
Two doses are needed, at least 56 days apart (or up to 84 days apart, if necessary).

What are the possible side effects of the vaccine?
Pain where the injection was given, fatigue, headache, myalgia, arthralgia, and fever, which were mild to moderate in intensity and disappeared within 48 hours of vaccination.

Sputnik V

What is its effectiveness and what does it refer to?

Adenovirus vector-based vaccine.
Effectiveness: 92% after the second dose in the prevention of symptomatic COVID-19.

How many doses are needed?
Two doses are needed, at least 21 days apart (or up to six weeks apart, if necessary).

What is carpal tunnel syndrome?

Signs and symptoms Carpal tunnel syndrome

Diagnosis and treatment Carpal tunnel syndrome

Related centers and departments Carpal tunnel syndrome

Fuentes:

Index

Specialist in Carpal tunnel syndrome