Acute carpal tunnel syndrome in trauma

Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is one of the commonest compression neuropathy. It carries significant employment and health care costs and causes much grief to patients. There are numerous causes for carpal tunnel syndrome; however, in this review, the authors concentrate on trauma as a primary etiology. CTS is essentially a compression of the median nerve within the carpal tunnel producing debilitating symptoms and signs. Early recognition of the clinical presentation of this syndrome is vital, since it is a surgical emergency and urgent release is indicated. The anatomy, etiology, pathogenesis, clinical features, investigations, and management with case presentation have been discussed in detail, referencing a diverse collection of textbooks and papers. A comprehensive literature review of 44 papers was performed, with compilation of current treatment guidelines and management. Picture illustrations of a case encountered by the authors are included for better understanding for clinicians and trainees. This article describes acute CTS in detail and provides information for correct and early diagnosis together with effective treatment. The risk factors and treatment options are discussed in detail with photographic illustrations, providing simple but comprehensive material for education of students and clinicians, therefore to improve outcome of patients with this potentially devastating condition. © Springer-Verlag 2012.