The median nerve is the nerve affected in carpal tunnel syndrome.
Understanding Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Carpal tunnel syndrome is a common condition that causes pain, numbness, and tingling in the hand and arm. This occurs when the median nerve, which travels from the forearm through the carpal tunnel in the wrist, becomes compressed.
The Role of the Median Nerve
- The median nerve is responsible for providing sensation to the palm side of the thumb, index finger, middle finger, and part of the ring finger. (The little finger is not affected by the median nerve.)
- It also controls some of the small muscles at the base of the thumb.
- When pressure is applied to the median nerve, it can disrupt its function.
What Happens in Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?
- The carpal tunnel is a narrow passageway in the wrist formed by bones and ligaments.
- When tissues around the median nerve, like tendons, swell or thicken, the tunnel narrows, leading to nerve compression.
- This compression disrupts normal nerve function, causing symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome.
Key Symptoms
- Numbness or tingling in the fingers mentioned above.
- Pain that can radiate up the arm.
- Weakness in the hand, particularly the thumb.
- Difficulty gripping objects.
- Symptoms are often worse at night.
Diagnosis
- Physical examination by a doctor, assessing symptoms and hand strength.
- Nerve conduction studies can be used to measure the speed of nerve signals and determine if the median nerve is compressed.
Treatment
- Conservative treatments:
- Wrist splints to reduce pressure on the nerve.
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to alleviate pain and swelling.
- Corticosteroid injections into the carpal tunnel.
- Physical therapy.
- Surgical treatments:
- Carpal tunnel release surgery can be performed to relieve pressure on the median nerve. This procedure involves cutting the carpal tunnel ligament, which increases the space within the tunnel and reduces pressure on the nerve.
Conclusion
The median nerve is the specific nerve that is compressed in carpal tunnel syndrome. The compression leads to various sensory and motor problems in the hand and can be addressed by conservative or surgical treatments.
