Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
There is a tunnel in our wrist through which nine tendons and one nerve pass. This tunnel is called the carpal tunnel. The disease that occurs when the median nerve passing through the tunnel is compressed and compressed is called carpal tunnel syndrome.
Although carpal tunnel syndrome, also known as nerve compression in the wrist, is a problem that occurs in the wrist, it usually affects the hands and fingers. Numbness in the fingers and weakness in the hands are among the most important symptoms. Although there are non-surgical treatment methods for this disease, which is generally seen in people who put a lot of strain on their wrists, surgical treatment is usually applied.
Nerve Compression in the Ankle
One of the causes of pain in the ankles may be due to the compression of the tissue around the ankle due to ankle movements. Basketball players, football players and dancers need to bend their ankles up frequently. As traumas and sprains are constantly repeated, anterior nerve compression occurs. As injuries are repeated, thickening occurs in tissues such as the joint membrane. The increase in the volume of the tissues causes compression that causes pain when the ankle is lifted up. Over time, a bony structure forms and this prevents the upward bending movement of the ankle.
Ballerinas and ballet dancers perform downward bending movements quite frequently. Compression behind the ankle causes pain. In this way, the disease that causes severe pain when the ankle is bent downwards passes posteriorly.
Causes
There are some problems that can cause nerve compression. In people with diabetes, edema in the nerves compresses and puts pressure on the channel through which it passes. If a fracture has occurred, there may be narrowing in the channels through which the nerves pass. Especially in pregnant women, weight gain and increased edema can cause nerve compression. In cases where hormones affect nerve metabolism, the increase in bones and soft tissue cells may cause compression. Edema in the muscle tendon sheaths also causes narrowing.
Those with congenitally narrow canals Nerve compression is a very common type of disorder. When nerve compression occurs, the nerves that cannot receive oxygen react to the body in the form of pain. Numbness and tingling may occur in the nerve area. After this, pain occurs. In advanced stage nerve compression, thinning and dysfunctions are observed in the muscles reached by these nerves.
Diagnosis
It is important to listen to the patient's complaints in determining the diseases. Considering the pain experienced in the front or back of the ankles and the person's activities, necessary procedures can be started to make a diagnosis. A physical examination is required to diagnose this disease. The gold standard in the diagnosis of ankle impingement is the EMG test. Apart from this, if the nerve is compressed by another pathology, ankle MRI may be required.
Treatment of Nerve Compression in the Ankle
Drugs are used in the non-surgical treatment of ankle compression. Besides the medications to be used, the most important help is that the person rests. If the pain continues despite this treatment, a surgical procedure may be required.
Non-Surgical Treatment
There are some precautions that can be taken to avoid ankle nerve compression. Using appropriate supports for the wrists and resting them from time to time will ensure that the nerves can easily reach oxygen. If there is weight gain, methods of losing weight in a healthy way should be researched and implemented immediately. As weight is lost, the tissues surrounding the nerves will expand and the nerves will move freely and will not cause pain. Pregnant women should follow diets that prevent edema formation. Reducing the use of salt, which causes water retention in the body, will be enough to prevent this situation to some extent. Exercises performed for the ankles, but not intense, will also relax the ankles.
Ankle Nerve Compression Surgery
If the person still experiences ankle nerve compression despite all the precautions taken. This problem can be solved with surgical intervention. Surgery for whatever is causing the compression It can be cleared by intervention. If the compression occurs due to thickened tissues, the problem can be resolved by decompressing with micro endoscopic surgery.
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