Carpal tunnel syndrome is one of the most common peripheral neuropathies and can seriously impair quality of life. It is a compression of the median nerve at wrist level, which can cause tingling, pain and loss of strength in the hand.
Symptoms that should not be underestimated include tingling and numbness in the first three fingers of the hand (especially at night); radiating pain toward the forearm; difficulty clutching objects or loss of grip strength; and a "swollen" or unfeeling "hand.
These disorders, if persistent, require a thorough evaluation to arrive at a definite diagnosis and set up effective treatment: starting with electromyography (EMG), what is it?
Electromyography is a noninvasive diagnostic investigation that studies the electrical activity of muscles and nerve conduction. In the case of carpal tunnel syndrome, it allows us to check for median nerve distress and assess the degree of compression.
At this point the hand surgeon specialist intervenes and evaluates the most suitable treatment for the patient: conservative or surgical if the nerve shows signs of severe suffering or if the symptomatology is disabling. Conservative treatment consists of infiltrations and the use of a brace combined with specific physiotherapy sessions; with surgical treatment, on the other hand, the patient undergoes minimally invasive surgery on an outpatient basis.
Life Clinic's multidisciplinary approach ensures rapid diagnosis, short time between examination and treatment decision, and targeted follow-up for postoperative recovery. Hand surgeon, neurophysiopathology technician, and physical therapist in one center for complete patient care, from diagnosis to treatment.