Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: Overview

At the Centeno-Schultz Clinic we acknowledge that wrist pain can be painful and limiting.

Carpal Tunnel syndrome (CTS) is an entrapment of the median nerve in the carpal tunnel causing pain and numbness.  The carpal tunnel is an anatomical compartment located at the base of the palm.  Nine flexor tendons and the median nerve pass through the carpal tunnel that is surrounded on three sides by the carpal bones that form an arch as illustrated below.

A successful case report utilizing  hydrodissection, a non surgical treatment has been discussed in a prior blog.

Patients commonly experience numbness, tingling, or burning sensations in the thumb, index, long and radial half of the ring finger.

Common clinical examinations include Phalen’s maneuver and Tinel’s sign.

Most cases of CTS are of unknown causes.

Diagnosis is often made by EMG/NCS study whereby needles are placed into muscles and electrical activity is evaluated.  The needles and the procedure  can be painful.  At the Centeno-Schultz Clinic MSK ultrasound is a non painful alternative.  A median nerve greater than 10mm in area indicates carpal tunnel syndrome.  A transverse ultrasound image of the median nerve is illustrated below.