Carpal tunnel syndrome occurs when the median nerve in the wrist is compressed. It is a disease that progresses as pain, numbness and weakness, sometimes occurring in certain fingers of the hand and sometimes in the entire hand.
The cause of this disorder is the compression of the nerve passing through the wrist. For this reason, patient complaints increase in cases where swelling in the body increases, such as pregnancy, goiter and diabetes. While the disease is generally seen in women between the ages of 30 and 50, it can also occur in men who work in professions that use the wrist frequently.
The diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome is made primarily through a physical examination and EMG test performed as a result of the symptoms reported by the patient to the doctor. The EMG test gives 3 degrees of carpal tunnel syndrome: mild, moderate and severe.
Attention mouse users!
The pursuits of our age have led to the emergence of new and modern diseases. Nowadays, computer keyboards and mice are frequently used in many professions. In this process, since the opening from the wrist to the back of the hand takes a long time, compression occurs in the median nerve passing here. As a result, carpal tunnel syndrome occurs. In short, we can say that the disorder has become one of today's occupational diseases.
It can wake you up at night
Carpal tunnel syndrome patients generally say that the pain increases while they are asleep at night. In this case, the immobile wrist causes more compression of the median nerve due to the relaxation of the muscles while sleeping and the increase in edema in the body. From time to time, the patient may even wake up from his sleep and feel the urge to clap his hands.
What happens if I do not have surgery?
Not every carpal tunnel syndrome patient has to have surgery. Medication and physical therapy are mostly administered. Patients with moderate and severe carpal tunnel syndrome usually undergo surgery. Advanced and neglected patients may develop permanent deformity and loss of movement in their hands. For this reason, the discomfort should not be neglected.
The patient returns to work life in a short time.
Carpal tunnel syndrome surgery is performed by loosening the tunnel with an incision of approximately 2.5 cm. An average of 5 - 6 stitches are applied. The best part about the surgery is that the numbness, tingling and pain in the hand will be felt even that night. It starts to fizzle. In other words, the patient's face begins to smile the day after the surgery.
The patient is usually followed in the hospital for 1 night after the surgery. There is no restriction on using his hand. The person returns to business life in a short time. The stitches are removed in the 2nd week. A limited group of patients receive physical therapy after surgery.
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