الفهرس 
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Abstract
The carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is considered to be the most common
entrapment neuropathy of the upper extremity caused by compression of
the median nerve at the wrist. It occurs most often in patients between 30
and 60 years old and five times more common in women than in men.
The median nerve is a mixed sensory and motor nerve that enters the hand
through a narrow, rigid, fibro-osseous passageway (the carpal tunnel). The
nerve is the softest and the most sensitive element in the carpal tunnel.
In the great majority of cases, CTS is called idiopathic. Secondary CTS
may be related to abnormalities of the container or content.
Early diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome is important to prevent muscle
atrophy or damage to median nerve that cannot be reserved by treatment.
Carpal tunnel syndrome generally produces pain, paraesthesia, numbness
or tingling involving the palmar aspect of the thumb, index finger, middle
finger, and radial half of the ring finger. Symptoms are worse at night and
often wake the patient.
The most popular clinical tests for diagnosis of CTS are Phalen’s test,
Tinnel’s sign and the direct compression of median nerve at the wrist. The
most conclusive diagnostic test is the demonstration of reduced nerve
conduction velocity and increased latency of the median nerve at the
wrist.
To relieve the pressure on the median nerve, several treatment options,
both surgical and conservative, are available.