Neurosurgical Conditions - Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Carpal tunnel syndrome is one of a number of entrapment neuropathies treated by neurosurgeons. This is a group of conditions, where symptoms occur when a nerve is "trapped" as a consequence of its normal anatomical path in the body becoming constricted. This compresses the nerve, causing tingling, weakness and often pain in the area supplied by that nerve.

The carpal tunnel transmits the median nerve at the wrist and is the area most commonly affected. Carpal tunnel syndrome therefore consists of pain, tingling and weakness affecting predominantly the thumb, index and middle fingers of the hand. The diagnosis can be confirmed by making electrical measurements of the speed of conduction along the nerve (nerve conduction studies). The neurosurgical treatment consists of a relatively small operation, often performed under local anaesthetic, whereby the fibrous carpal tunnel at the wrist is opened up in order to release the pressure on the nerve.

Ulnar Nerve Compression
This is probably the next commonest entrapment neuropathy and is due to pressure on the ulnar nerve along its course along the inside of the elbow. Pressure on the nerve at this site can cause tingling, pain and weakness, which predominantly affects the little and ring fingers and the adjacent area of the hand. The diagnosis can again be confirmed by electrical nerve conduction studies. The neurosurgical treatment is an operation, usually under a general anaesthetic, which involves opening up the canal in which the ulnar nerve lies on the inside aspect of the elbow.

Associated Terms
Ulnar nerve syndrome, entrapment neuropathy, trapped nerve, median nerve neuropathy.