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Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Research Paper

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Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) is numbness, tingling, weakness, and other problems in the hand caused by pressure on the median nerve in the wrist. The median nerve along with tendons run along the forearm to the hand into a small space in the wrist. Adding pressure along the median nerve causes the carpal tunnel to become smaller. Additional causes for this disease is injury or trauma to the wrist such as a sprain or a fracture. Medical problems such as an enlarged pituitary gland, hypothyroidism, and fluid retention during menopause can all cause this disease. According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and strokes states that women are more likely to have this disorder compared to men because a women’s carpel tunnel is smaller.
Symptoms of CTS include tingling and numbness of the hands and fingers focusing primarily in the thumb and the Index fingers. Patients tend to experience feelings of swelling in the hand when no visual symptom is shown. In the beginning of the disease the symptoms tend to be experienced during the night and slowly progress to be experienced during the day. The feeling of having to shake …show more content…

Doctors with collect data pertaining to a patient’s medical history and also perform a physical examination. The examination will include the upper extremities and the discomfort level of the patient while completing everyday activities. The physician will examine the arm carefully looking for swelling, discoloration, or warmth. Every finger will be evaluated for sensation and the muscles surrounding the arm will be tested for strength. X-Rays will be used to also test for underlying disease’s such as arthritis and fractures which will ensure the diagnosis of CTS. The Tinel Test is a test performed to test the median nerve in the wrist. The exam will consist of applying pressure to the nerve and if tingling is felt by the patient he or she is positive for

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