Individuals who have carpal tunnel syndrome experience symptoms which may include a numbing or tingling sensation in the hand or wrist with an occasional sharp pain that may shoot up the arm.
Left untreated, this condition may cause damage to the nerves and muscles including permanent damage to the median nerve.
When a physician suspects an individual may have carpal tunnel syndrome, there are a couple of common tests which are typically performed during a physical examination as well as further testing that may be recommended in order to confirm a diagnosis of carpal tunnel.
Physical Tests and Exams for Carpal Tunnel A physician will initially conduct a physical exam to rule out other possibilities which could produce similar symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome.
This will include examining the neck, shoulders, arms, and hands looking for any underlying conditions which may be causing these symptoms.
The "Tinel test" is one of the physical tests commonly performed when attempting to diagnose carpal tunnel.
This test consist of the physician tapping or pressing on the patients wrist specifically on the median nerve and if the patient feels a shock-like sensation or tingling of the fingers this is considered a positive result for carpal tunnel.
The "Phalen" - also known as the "wrist-flexion" test - consists of having the individual hold their forearms in an upright position while pressing the back of the hands together with the fingers pointing down.
If within one minute tingling or numbness is felt in the fingers and increases, then this is also a positive indication of carpal tunnel syndrome.
Including these physical tests, the physician may also ask you to try and recreate a movement which brings on the symptoms.
Electrodiagnostic Tests used in the Diagnosis of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome In order to definitively determine the presence of carpal tunnel syndrome, electrodiagnostic tests may also be done to rule out any other disorder which can emulate the symptoms of carpal tunnel such as a pinched nerve in another part of the body.
An "electromyography" or "EMG" may be ordered by your doctor which is a test that can measure the small electrical discharges which the muscles produce.
A thin needle containing electrodes is used that is inserted into the particular muscles that are going to be studied.
An instrument known as an "electromyograph" creates a record or "electromyogram" of the electrical activity in the muscle while in a resting position and then as the muscle contracts with movement.
This test will show any damage which may have occurred to the muscle.
Another type of electromyography which may be done is a "nerve conduction study" which will show any damage that may have been done to the median nerve.
This process is accomplished by taping two small electrodes on the skin which can then send a shock through the median nerve that will show the speed at which the electrical impulses are moving through the median nerve.
These tests may show other medical disorders that may be causing your symptoms in which case your doctor may recommend other medical professionals for other specialized forms of treatment.
Left untreated, this condition may cause damage to the nerves and muscles including permanent damage to the median nerve.
When a physician suspects an individual may have carpal tunnel syndrome, there are a couple of common tests which are typically performed during a physical examination as well as further testing that may be recommended in order to confirm a diagnosis of carpal tunnel.
Physical Tests and Exams for Carpal Tunnel A physician will initially conduct a physical exam to rule out other possibilities which could produce similar symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome.
This will include examining the neck, shoulders, arms, and hands looking for any underlying conditions which may be causing these symptoms.
The "Tinel test" is one of the physical tests commonly performed when attempting to diagnose carpal tunnel.
This test consist of the physician tapping or pressing on the patients wrist specifically on the median nerve and if the patient feels a shock-like sensation or tingling of the fingers this is considered a positive result for carpal tunnel.
The "Phalen" - also known as the "wrist-flexion" test - consists of having the individual hold their forearms in an upright position while pressing the back of the hands together with the fingers pointing down.
If within one minute tingling or numbness is felt in the fingers and increases, then this is also a positive indication of carpal tunnel syndrome.
Including these physical tests, the physician may also ask you to try and recreate a movement which brings on the symptoms.
Electrodiagnostic Tests used in the Diagnosis of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome In order to definitively determine the presence of carpal tunnel syndrome, electrodiagnostic tests may also be done to rule out any other disorder which can emulate the symptoms of carpal tunnel such as a pinched nerve in another part of the body.
An "electromyography" or "EMG" may be ordered by your doctor which is a test that can measure the small electrical discharges which the muscles produce.
A thin needle containing electrodes is used that is inserted into the particular muscles that are going to be studied.
An instrument known as an "electromyograph" creates a record or "electromyogram" of the electrical activity in the muscle while in a resting position and then as the muscle contracts with movement.
This test will show any damage which may have occurred to the muscle.
Another type of electromyography which may be done is a "nerve conduction study" which will show any damage that may have been done to the median nerve.
This process is accomplished by taping two small electrodes on the skin which can then send a shock through the median nerve that will show the speed at which the electrical impulses are moving through the median nerve.
These tests may show other medical disorders that may be causing your symptoms in which case your doctor may recommend other medical professionals for other specialized forms of treatment.
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