Carpal tunnel syndrome - clinical fact sheet and MCQ
Overview
Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is the most common compressive neuropathy of the upper limb, affecting up to 14% of the adult population. It results from compression of the median nerve as it traverses the carpal tunnel, a confined fibro-osseous space at the wrist bordered by the carpal bones dorsally and the transverse carpal ligament volarly. The syndrome predominantly affects women aged over 40 and is a leading cause of workplace disability. Up to 70% of people can have bilateral symptoms.
The primary impact of CTS stems from nocturnal paraesthesia and sensory disruption in the digits on the radial side of the hand, often associated with functional limitations in grip strength, manual dexterity, and sleep disturbance. If untreated, CTS may progress to persistent numbness, thenar atrophy, and irreversible nerve dysfunction.
Aetiology and risk factors
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