Peripheral nerves travel in the body, between the muscles in the arms and legs. Along this anatomical course, it passes through narrowing tunnels in some body parts. These tunnels are fibroosseous (between muscle and bone), and nerve compression in this area, which occurs for various reasons, is called entrapment neuropathy. Trap neuropathies are among the most common diseases group and no difference in age, gender, race and socioeconomic level could be detected. 2/3 of this number are people who work actively and they constitute an important group of diseases in terms of annual workforce loss.
Approximately 90% of entrapment neuropathies are composed of carpal tunnel syndrome, which occurs at the wrist level and progresses with nerve compression. The female/male ratio is 2/1. Its incidence increases in the 25-30 age group and 40-60 age group, and while the age distribution is thought to be related to the profession in the young group, hormonal reasons are prioritized in the elderly group.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is a clinical picture that occurs with the compression of the median nerve passing under the ligament called Carpal ligament at the wrist level. It is found at a higher rate in women due to hormonal reasons. It can be seen in both hands at the same time and is more common in the 40-60 age group. Patients come with complaints of tingling, pain, numbness, burning and electrification in the hand, especially at night. Pain is reduced by massage and shaking hands. Late symptoms are wasting of the hand muscles and loss of strength.
Clinical examination and nerve conduction velocity studies called EMG are required for diagnosis. Patients who do not benefit from conservative treatment steps are treated surgically and surgical treatment is usually performed with local anesthesia. The connective tissue called the carpal ligament, which compresses the nerve at the wrist level, is cut open endoscopically or microsurgically, and the nerve is freed from the tunnel where it is stuck.
In cases with carpal tunnel syndrome, postoperative success is very high in the early period. From the first day, the patient feels that the complaints in his hand have decreased. Loss of strength and muscle wasting are expected to improve over time. However, although the pain in the nerve tissue, which is exposed to very heavy and long-term pressure, goes away, other complaints may not improve. The patient can start to use his hand normally in a period of about one month after the surgery.
