Carpel Tunnel Syndrome

Question 1

How is it caused?

Answer 1

When the median nerve becomes compressed at the wrist. Causes symptoms such as tingling, numbness and, weakness in the hands and fingers.

Question 2

Median nerve in CTS

Answer 2

Enters carpel tunnel beneath the flexor retinaculum, along with nine tendons. It divides into:

-Recurrent branch
-palmar digital branches

Question 3

Median nerve course

Answer 3

Travels down arm, enters forearm between the two heads of the Pronator teres muscles, and continues between the flexor digitorum superficialis and flexor digitorum profundus muscles

Question 4

Median nerve origin

Answer 4

Formed from the lateral and medial cords of the brachial plexus, receiving fibres from c5-t1.

Question 5

Ulnar nerve in CTS

Answer 5

Provides motor innervation to most of the intrinsic hand muscles.

Question 6

Ulnar nerve sensory distribution

Answer 6

Supplies sensation to the palmar and dorsal surfaces of the little finger and the ulnar half of the ring finger

Question 7

Ulnar nerve course

Answer 7

Travels down medial side of the arm and forearm. At the wrist, it passes through the guyon’s canal. A separate passageway located anterior to the carpel tunnel.

Question 8

Ulnar tunnel syndrome

Answer 8

Compression of the ulnar nerve in the guyon’s canal.

Question 9

Radial nerve in CTS

Answer 9

Provides motor innervation to the muscles responsible for extending the elbow, wrist and fingers.

Question 10

Radial nerve sensory distribution

Answer 10

Supplies sensation to the posterior aspect of the arm and forearm, as well as the dorsal surface of the hand, excluding the finger tips.

Question 11

Radial nerve course

Answer 11

Travels down posterior side of the arm and forearm. Does not pass through the carpel tunnel or guyon’s canal.

Question 12

Radial nerve compression

Answer 12

Can lead to symptoms such as weakness in wrist and finger extension, and sensory loss in the areas it innervates.