Introduction

The carpal tunnel is caused by the compression of the median nerve at the level of the wrist. It is a pathology more and more frequent due to the use of the mouse and keyboard.

Signs and symptoms

The symptoms that it provokes is pain at the level of the wrist that can extend to the elbow or fingers, alterations of the sensitivity in the first four fingers and, in the last stages, weakness in the hand and loss of strength.

Diagnosis

The diagnosis is established with the clinical examination, with the neurological examination and with an electromyogram. This last test not only indicates if the nerve is trapped, but also the severity of the entrapment.

Treatment

If the compression is mild, rehabilitation is performed or, sometimes, discharge splints are used. If the compression is moderate-severe, surgical decompression is recommended to avoid damage to the nerve. The intervention is minimally invasive and ambulatory.