Karapl Tunnel Syndrome

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Karapl Tunnel Syndrome
Karapl Tunnel Syndrome

Video: Karapl Tunnel Syndrome

Video: Karapl Tunnel Syndrome
Video: Carpal Tunnel Syndrome | Nucleus Health 2024, March
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Carpal tunnel syndrome

The hand falls asleep especially at night or when holding certain positions, often with tingling or pin-prick-like pain. These typical signs of carpal tunnel syndrome are caused by increased pressure on the median nerve (nervus medianus) in the wrist tunnel. Up to ten percent of all adults are affected, women three times more often than men. Therapy is necessary if significant symptoms or sensory disorders occur over a long period of time. If left untreated, permanent damage can occur in these cases. In addition to a genetic, possibly hereditary tendency, stress-dependent or chronic inflammatory swelling of the tendon sheaths are the triggers.

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  • What are the symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome?
  • How is the diagnosis made?
  • How is carpal tunnel syndrome treated?
  • Whom can I ask?
  • How are the costs going to be covered?

What are the symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome?

The syndrome can occur on one or, most often, on both hands. It is typical for the hands to fall asleep especially at night or towards morning, but also with certain hand positions such as talking on the phone or reading the newspaper, cycling or motorcycling. The often painful pinprick-like abnormal sensations primarily affect the middle fingers at the beginning, later also the thumb or even the entire arm. The symptoms are aggravated when the hand is strained, for example by gardening, and at least in the early stages it improves by changing position or "shaking it out". In advanced cases, the fingers constantly feel "numb". In addition, the lateral thumb ball muscles recede.

How is the diagnosis made?

Various neurological examinations are performed on the hand or arm. Tapping the middle nerve in the area of the wrist triggers discomfort (Hoffmann-Tinel sign). In many cases it is necessary to perform a nerve conduction velocity (NLG) of the median nerve to confirm the diagnosis. In this way, the location and extent of nerve damage can usually be determined or other nerve diseases can be excluded.

In rare cases, imaging tests such as x-rays, ultrasound, or magnetic resonance imaging may be required.

How is carpal tunnel syndrome treated?

The therapy options include conservative and surgical measures.

Conservative action

The symptoms can be alleviated by non-surgical measures such as changing the position of the hand and treating concomitant diseases. Another option is to place the hand in a splint - especially during the night. Decongestant medication and specific physiotherapeutic measures can bring about an improvement.

Surgical measures

If the symptoms are severe and persistent, or if there is a significant slowdown in the electrical nerve conduction, an operation may be necessary. The ligament that bounds the carpal tunnel on the flexor side is severed. This will remove the constriction of the nerve and the symptoms will usually go away.

The minor procedure is usually performed on an outpatient basis under local or brief anesthesia. Thereafter, the hand should only be spared for a short time. The fingers should be moved up to a fist the day after the operation. Heavy lifting and leaning on the hand should, however, be avoided in the first four weeks after the operation. After two to three weeks, the hand can be used again for most everyday activities. In the first few days after the operation, sufficient pain relievers should be administered and cold applications should be carried out.

Only in advanced cases, especially if the fingers were persistently numb before the operation, the regression of the symptoms can take several weeks to months or a certain numbness persists.

Whom can I ask?

If your hands are tingling or falling asleep, you can turn to the following offices:

  • General Practitioner,
  • Specialist in orthopedics,
  • Specialist in neurology,
  • Pain clinic or pain therapist.

How are the costs going to be covered?

All necessary and appropriate therapies are covered by the health insurance carriers. Your doctor or the outpatient clinic will generally settle accounts directly with your health insurance provider. With certain health insurance providers, however, you may have to pay a deductible (BVAEB, SVS, SVS, BVAEB). However, you can also use a doctor of your choice (ie doctor without a health insurance contract) or a private outpatient clinic. For more information, see Costs and Deductibles.

When hospitalization is required

In some situations, hospitalization may be required to treat carpal tunnel syndrome. The hospital costs are billed for. The patient has to pay a daily contribution to the costs. Further medication treatment at home is carried out by prescription from the general practitioner or the specialist.

For more information, see What does a hospital stay cost?

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