Question 1

could a prescribed muscle relaxer medication and an anti-anxiety med result in abnormal/positive emg finding of carpal tunnel syndrome.

Accepted Answer

Not likely: medications cause weird symptoms but CTS has a fairly specific presentation that is usually evident on examination or testing. EMG/NCS is a very reliable indication as to nerve compression. Ultrasound examination is another simple diagnostic. There are treatment options that depend on those test results.

Question 2

how to know if we have carpal tunnel syndrome? is there any test we can run on our own?

Accepted Answer

See below: The symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome vary but usually involve aching in the wrist and numbness and  tingling in the thumb, index and middle finger and sometimes half of the ring finger. Usually symptoms are worse with driving and at night and people find relief when they shake their hands. Can progress to weakness and dropping objects. Can cause pain all the way to the shoulder at times.

Question 3

who can get carpal tunnel syndrome?

Accepted Answer

Anyone: Anyone with repetitive motions across the wrist (most of us) can develops this syndrome.

Question 4

what leads to carpal tunnel syndrome?

Accepted Answer

Nerve compression: Carpal tunnel syndrome is median nerve compression in the carpal tunnel at the base of the palm. Increased pressure in the confined space of the carpal tunnel causes compression of the nerve resulting in numbness of the thumb, index, long, and half the ring finger.Common causes are underlying tendonitis, overuse and repetitive use, pregnancy, and diabetes or hypothyroidism are predisposing factors.

Question 5

how to diagnose carpal tunnel syndrome?

Accepted Answer

History and physical: Usually one can diagnose carpal tunnel syndrome just by doing a good history and physical.  People complain of numbness and tingling and/or weakness in the thumb and next two or three fingers.  People may also have pain in this distribution if when you tap on the median nerve of the wrist.  Other tests which can confirm a diagnosis include nerve conduction studies and electromyography.

Question 6

can carpal tunnel syndrome be reversed?

Accepted Answer

Yes: Carpal tunnel is a condition in the wrist where a nerve (the median nerve) is "pinched" by tendons that surround it as it travels through an area in the wrist called the carpal tunnel. The symptoms generally occur after the wrist has been flexed (making the carpal tunnel smaller) . Symptoms may resolve with antiinflammatory meds, rest and splinting. Sometimes surgery may be needed to fix it.

Question 7

can you explain carpal tunnel syndrome?

Accepted Answer

Median nerve: Compression of the median nerve at the base of the palm in canal bound by bone and the traverse carpal ligament. Swelling in the canal increases pressure on the median nerve causing numbness and tingling in the thumb, index, long and half the ring fingers. Can get weakness of thenar muscles and loss of coordination as well.

Question 8

can you die from carpal tunnel syndrome?

Accepted Answer

No.: No. It is a local nerve compression problem of the median nerve.

Question 9

can children get carpal tunnel syndrome?

Accepted Answer

Not common: In all my years of practice i never saw a child or teenager with cts. It can happen with wrist fractures but have never seen. Also a tendon sheath infection in the hand could cause it. But me no experience.

Question 10

how should i treat carpal tunnel syndrome?

Accepted Answer

Injections, surgery: You can avoid carpal tunnel syndrome (cts) by wearing braces on your wrists, but once you have it, the best treatment is surgery.  You can try injections of steroids, but cts doesn't respond well to this.  
It is very important that if you have weakness or numbness that you seek an operation right away; this kind of damage can be permanent if it's not treated promptly!

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Doctor answers about:

Carpal tunnel syndrome medication

A member asked:

Could a prescribed muscle relaxer medication and an anti-anxiety med result in abnormal/positive emg finding of carpal tunnel syndrome.

A member asked:

How to know if we have carpal tunnel syndrome? is there any test we can run on our own?

A member asked:

Who can get carpal tunnel syndrome?

A member asked:

What leads to carpal tunnel syndrome?

A member asked:

How to diagnose carpal tunnel syndrome?

A member asked:

Can carpal tunnel syndrome be reversed?

A member asked:

Can you explain carpal tunnel syndrome?

A member asked:

Can you die from carpal tunnel syndrome?

A member asked:

Can children get carpal tunnel syndrome?

A member asked:

How should i treat carpal tunnel syndrome?

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