Slide 34 of 75
Notes:
Tunnel syndromes -- nerves pass through tunnels created by bones, ligaments and other tissue. Tunnels can be damaged if surrounding tissue swells and presses on them. Tunnel syndromes cause pain, muscle weakness, and numbness. Unlike pain caused by tendinitis, which responds to rest, tunnel syndromes can cause constant pain. Tunnel syndromes tend to wake people from sleep with pain, as the swelling occurs at night.
Carpal tunnel -- bracelet formed by bone and tough ligament just below wrist at heel of hand. 9 finger tendons, connective tissue, arteries and veins pass through, as does the median nerve, which conducts impulses from the brain down the arm to the thumb, forefinger, middle finger, and inside half of ring finger.
Carpal tunnel syndrome -- excessive up-and-down movement irritates the synovium (lining of carpal tunnel), causing swelling. The hard carpal tunnel can’t expand, so pressure on median nerve causes the numbness and tingling associated with CTS. CTS creeps up on people. In addition to numbness and tingling, patients complain of soreness and pain that wakes them up. They also note a loss of power in their grip and find themselves constantly dropping objects.
