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Chapter 18 - Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

from Part V - Extremities

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 December 2023

By
Vwaire Orhurhu  and
Kevin Bennett
Edited by
Omar Viswanath  and
Ivan Urits
Omar Viswanath
Affiliation:
Creighton University, Omaha
Ivan Urits
Affiliation:
Southcoast Brain & Spine Center, Wareham
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Summary

Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is the most common cause of peripheral entrapment neuropathy in the United States. It is prevalent in approximately 3% of the American adult population and up to 30% in diabetics with coexisting peripheral neuropathy. Measuring median nerve diameter with ultrasound is a viable alternative to nerve conduction studies when diagnosing CTS. Wrist-splinting, physical therapy, and shock-wave therapy are all possible first-line treatments for mild to moderate CTS. LCI benefits pain and functionality in the short term with only a single injection. Endoscopic decompression surgery is still the gold standard treatment for patients with moderate to severe CTS that is refractory to other treatments.

Keywords

CTSperipheral entrapment neuropathywrist painmedian nervesplinting
Type
Chapter
Information
Cambridge Handbook of Pain Medicine , pp. 131 - 145
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2023

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