Carpal tunnel syndrome treatment and diagnostics abroad

Carpal tunnel syndrome is compression of the median nerve as it passes through the carpal tunnel in the wrist. It can occur:

• on its own — for example, with heavy, repetitive work-related strain on the hand;
• with conditions that make nerves more sensitive to pressure (such as diabetes);
• when thickened tissue in the tunnel presses on the nerve.

Symptoms

• pain in the hand or forearm, especially at night or with effort;
• weakness and wasting of the muscles at the base of the thumb;
• numbness in the thumb, index and middle fingers;
• tingling when the wrist is tapped (Tinel's sign);
• often both hands are affected.

Diagnosis and treatment abroad

• Diagnosis — a neurologist's examination, nerve conduction studies (EMG) and ultrasound of the median nerve.
• Non-surgical treatment — a night splint, changing hand use, corticosteroid injections — for mild cases.
• Carpal tunnel release — open or endoscopic surgery, usually as a day case under local anaesthesia.

See also hand surgery and the neurology section.

Send a request with your EMG results — Clinics Direct coordinators will get a doctor's opinion and a cost estimate free of charge.