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Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

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Orthopedic Surgery Clerkship

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Abstract

Carpal tunnel syndrome is the most common compression peripheral neuropathies. It affects mainly middle-aged women. The classic symptoms of CTS include nocturnal pain associated with tingling and numbness in the distribution of median nerve in the hand. There are several physical examination tests that will help in the diagnosis of CTS, but none of these tests are diagnostic on their own. The gold standard test is nerve conduction studies. The diagnosis of CTS should be based on history, physical examination, and results of electrophysiological studies. The patient with mild symptoms of CTS can be managed with conservative treatment, particularly local injection of steroids and night splinting. However, in moderate to severe cases, surgery is the only treatment that provides cure. The basic principle of surgery is to increase the volume of the carpal tunnel by dividing transverse carpal ligament to release the pressure on the median nerve.

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Suggested Reading

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, USA

    Francisco A. Schwartz-Fernandes

  2. Orthopedics, University of South Florida Morsani Center, Tampa, FL, USA

    Eildar Abyar

Authors
  1. Francisco A. Schwartz-Fernandes
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  2. Eildar Abyar
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Correspondence to Eildar Abyar .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Warren Alpert Medical School, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, USA

    Adam E. M. Eltorai

  2. Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Division of Pediatric Surgery, Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, USA

    Craig P. Eberson

  3. Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Division of Spine Surgery, Rhode Island Hospital, Providence, Rhode Island, USA

    Alan H. Daniels

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© 2017 Springer International Publishing AG

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Schwartz-Fernandes, F.A., Abyar, E. (2017). Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. In: Eltorai, A., Eberson, C., Daniels, A. (eds) Orthopedic Surgery Clerkship. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-52567-9_33

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-52567-9_33

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-52565-5

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-52567-9

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

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