[Clinical presentation, diagnosis and treatment of the carpal tunnel syndrome]

Abstract

The carpal tunnel syndrome is the most common of the compression syndromes. The leading symptom is the "falling asleep" of the radial-sided fingers. The diagnosis is confirmed by the neurological examination. In the early stage, conservative treatment is justified, but in the advanced stage surgical decompression (carpal tunnel release) involving splitting of the transverse carpal ligament is indicated. In the hands of an experienced hand surgeon the operation is a routine procedure with a low complication rate.