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- What is nerve compression?
- What causes nerve compression?
- What are the types of nerve compression and what are their symptoms and causes?
- Nerve compression: What are the symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome, tarsal tunnel and cubital tunnel syndrome?
- How is nerve compression diagnosed?
- How is nerve compression treated?
What is nerve compression?
Nerve compression is a situation where the nerve is compressed due to a narrowing of the canal or bone structure through which the nerve passes, thereby disrupting the nerve’s functions. The most common nerve compressions include carpal tunnel syndrome, tarsal tunnel syndrome, and cubital tunnel syndrome. These conditions can cause symptoms such as limited hand and arm movement, numbness, tingling, and pain.
What causes nerve compression?
The main causes of nerve compression are:
- Repetitive motion: Repetitive motion such as using a computer or playing a musical instrument can put strain on nerves.
- Trauma: Injuries to the hand or arm can damage nerves.
- Rheumatologic disorders: Conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis can cause nerve compression.
- Diabetes: Diabetes can cause nerve damage and lead to nerve compression.
- Pregnancy: Hormones and fluid buildup during pregnancy can trigger nerve compression.
- Obesity: Being overweight can put pressure on nerves and cause compression.
- Thyroid disorders: Inadequate or excessive thyroid function can lead to nerve compression.
- Tumors or cysts: Tumors or cysts that form in the channels through which nerves pass can compress nerves.
- Genetic factors: In some people, the predisposition to nerve compression may be genetic.
What are the types of nerve compression and what are their symptoms and causes?
If we divide nerve compression into carpal tunnel, tarsal tunnel and cubital tunnel, the most common causes of these compressions are:
- Carpal tunnel syndrome: repetitive hand movements (computer use, writing), conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, pregnancy, diabetes, kidney failure.
- Tarsal tunnel syndrome: ankle injuries, diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis.
- Cubital tunnel syndrome: pressure on the elbow, elbow fractures, rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes.
In summary, nerve compression can have many causes and these causes can occur individually or in combination. A specialist should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment.
Nerve compression: What are the symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome, tarsal tunnel and cubital tunnel syndrome?
Depending on the degree of narrowing of the canal or bone structure through which the nerve passes, symptoms of nerve compression may vary from person to person and may be confused with symptoms of other health problems. The most common nerve compressions include carpal tunnel syndrome, tarsal tunnel syndrome, and cubital tunnel syndrome. These syndromes can occur with different symptoms depending on the nerve affected and the severity of the compression.
Symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome
- Numbness and tingling in the wrist and fingers: It can be felt especially in the thumb, index finger, middle finger and the tip of the ring finger.
- Nighttime pain: numbness and tingling increase at night and disturb sleep.
- Weakness in the hand: Difficulty holding objects, especially small ones.
- Swelling in the wrist: In some cases, slight swelling in the wrist may be observed.
- Increased symptoms in cold or hot weather: Weather changes or contact with hot or cold water may worsen symptoms.
Symptoms of Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome
- Numbness and tingling in the sole of the foot: It is felt especially in the inner part of the sole of the foot.
- Ankle and back of the foot pain: There may be a burning or stinging sensation in the ankle and back of the foot.
- Weakness in the feet: There may be difficulty moving the toes.
- Difficulty walking: Walking may become difficult due to pain in the sole of the foot.
Symptoms of Cubital Tunnel Syndrome
- Numbness and tingling in half of the little finger and ring finger: Numbness may occur that is Elbow.
- Pain on the inside of the elbow: Pain may increase when bending the elbow or applying pressure to the elbow.
- Weakness in the hand: Weakness may occur, particularly in the movements of the little finger and ring finger. • Swelling in the elbow: In some cases, slight swelling may be observed on the inside of the elbow.
General Symptoms
In addition to the symptoms listed above, common symptoms caused by nerve compression include:
- Pain: A burning, stabbing, or electric shock-like sensation in the affected area.
- Muscle weakness: Weakness in the muscles controlled by the affected nerve.
- Restricted range of motion: Restricted range of motion in the affected area.
- Sensory loss: reduction in sensations such as touch, heat and cold in the affected area.
How is nerve compression diagnosed?
- Physical examination:
o Tenderness: The affected area is checked for hypersensitivity or tenderness to touch.
o Weakness: It is assessed whether there is a loss of strength in the affected muscles. For example, in carpal tunnel syndrome, there may be difficulty in connecting the thumb and other fingers.
o Numbness and tingling: Check the affected area for numbness, tingling or stabbing.
o Limitation of movement: It is assessed whether there is a limitation of movement in the affected joint.
o Reflexes: The deep tendon reflexes are checked.
o Skin condition: It is assessed whether there is any color change, temperature difference or dryness of the skin in the affected area.
- Electromyography (EMG):
o It determines the location, size and severity of nerve damage by measuring the electrical activity of the nerves.
o Needle electrodes are used to record electrical activities in muscles and potentials in nerves.
o It determines the type of nerve damage by measuring nerve conduction velocity.
- Neurography:
o It determines the location and severity of nerve damage by measuring nerve conduction velocity.
o It involves stimulating the nerves with electrodes placed on the surface of the skin and measuring the resulting electrical activity.
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MR):
It shows in detail the anatomical structures in the area of nerve compression.
o Detects structures such as bony protrusions, cysts or tumors that cause nerve compression.
o It indicates swelling or inflammation of the soft tissues around the nerve.
How is nerve compression treated?
The treatment of nerve compression varies depending on the severity, duration and cause of the compression. In general, the following methods are used:
- Conservative treatments:
o Medications: medications such as painkillers and cortisone shots.
o Physical therapy: strengthening the muscles around the nerves and increasing their flexibility through exercise, massage and other physical therapy methods.
o Using a splint or orthosis: it reduces the pressure on the nerve by supporting the affected area.
- Surgical treatment:
o Nerve decompression: it reduces the pressure on the nerve by widening the canal in which the nerve is compressed.
o Nerve transfer: it restores nerve functions by replacing the function of the damaged nerve with another nerve.
Hand surgery and the role of microsurgery
Nerve compression surgery is typically performed using microsurgical techniques. Microsurgery is a special surgical method that allows the exposure and repair of very small nerve structures. The hand surgeon determines the cause of the nerve compression and creates an individual surgical plan.
