Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: Risk Factors, Symptoms and Treatment

Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is the most common compressive focal neuropathy of the upper limb. Patients usually have symptoms of numbness, and weakness in the hand, with or without the wrist pain, which may radiate up to the forearm, resulting from compression of the median nerve at the wrist beneath the transverse carpal ligament. The diagnosis is mostly clinical and electrodiagnostic studies are usually performed to confirm the diagnosis and to grade the severity. The most important risk factor for CTS recognized over the years is environmental including repetitive movements of wrist or prolonged positioning of the wrist in extreme flexion or extension position and exposure to vibration. Besides the environmental factors, compression of the nerve can be due to external compression such as a tumor or osteoarthritic changes. Other medical factors that affect the volume of the tunnel also are important risk factors. Treatment of CTS falls under two categories:: conservative or surgical. The objective of this book is to provide an overview of carpal tunnel syndrome with emphasis on the risk factors, clinical symptoms and evidence-based overview of treatments options for this common and disabling condition.