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. 2019 Nov;78(11 Suppl 2):6-10.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: An Update for the Primary Care Physician

Anne R Wright  1 , Robert E Atkinson  1
Affiliations

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: An Update for the Primary Care Physician

Anne R Wright et al. Hawaii J Health Soc Welf. 2019 Nov.

Abstract

Carpal tunnel syndrome costs the United States billions of dollars each year. The majority of patients are industrial workers, females, and the elderly who first present to their primary care physicians. Therefore, it is essential that the primary care physician understand this syndrome in order to diagnose and direct treatment. Here we present a review of the anatomy, pathophysiology, diagnosis, and current treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome that is relevant for the treating primary care physician. In addition, we discuss the role of the primary care physician in the diagnosis, management, and treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome. The aim of this review is to improve the integrated care of those patients suffering from carpal tunnel syndrome.

Keywords: Carpal Tunnel Syndrome; Peripheral Nerve Entrapment Syndrome.

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Conflict of interest statement

None of the authors identify any conflicts of interest.

Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Carpal Tunnel Anatomy. CT wrist, axial view with wrist pronated. The floor of the carpal tunnel is formed by the carpal bones, while the roof of the carpal tunnel is formed by the flexor retinaculum.
Figure 2.
Figure 2.
Phalen Test. Dorsum of hands placed together so that maximum wrist flexion is achieved. This is held for 60 seconds.
Figure 3.
Figure 3.
Reverse Phalen Test. Palms of hands placed together so that maximum wrist extension is achieved. This is held for 60 seconds.
Figure 4.
Figure 4.
Median Nerve Compression Test. With patient's wrist at neutral, the examiner places moderate pressure over the carpal tunnel for 30 seconds.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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