Carpal Tunnel Syndrome – Diagnose testing techniques:

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome usually effect a working person, so it may also involve in compensation benefits of workers, so there is a need to know the correct diagnosis techniques for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. The first step in Carpal Tunnel Syndrome diagnosis is to find the correct possible associations.

A clear cut list of all complaints, his daily activities that needs abnormal posture, repetitive motion tasks of wrist or hand and other situations that has effect on his hand, shoulders and neck. He should even report whether the carpal tunnel symptoms appear in nights or while doing any particular task. The different diagnosis techniques are

1. Self-Assessment Tests,
2. Physical Examination Tests,
3. Laboratory Test,
4. Imaging Test,
5. Electrodiagnostic Tests,
6. Investigative Tests.

Self-Assessment Tests :

Physical Examination Testing Technique :

The doctors will perform small maneuvers called the “Provocative Tests” during the Physical examination testing techniques of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. This test is mainly for distinguishing between Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and other disorders. In one kind of test the median nerve is tapped over to produce a tingling sensation or mild shock sensation called the Tinel’s sign by the doctor.

Another type of technique is the Phalen's test in which, the patient’s elbow is rested on a table and lets the wrists dangle with fingers pointing downwards and the backs of the hands pressed together which looks like backward praying. Within a minute if the symptoms are developed then Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is indicated. The weakness of the muscles is also may be tested by the doctor by pressing on the thumb as the patient holds it and the little finger together. The using wrist-flexion tests, the doctor may even ask the patient to try and reproduce symptoms of Carpal Tunnel syndrome.

Laboratory Tests :

Imaging Techniques :

Electrodiagnostic Tests :

If the Carpal tunnel syndrome cannot be identified by the simple Self-assessment testing technique or by Physical Assessment testing techniques or by Medical history, then it is best to go for this Electrodiagnostic Tests. Electrodiagnostic tests are of two types:

• Nerve Conduction Studies and
• Electromyographies.
  

These two detect the median nerve compression in the carpal tunnel by analyzing the electric waveforms of nerves and muscles. In the Nerve conduction studies, the surface electrodes are first fastened to the wrist and hand and small shocks are applied to nerves of the forearms, wrists and fingers to measure the speed of conduction of sensory and motor nerve fibers. In the electromyography, the electrical activity of the muscles into which a fine sterile, wire electrode is inserted is viewed.

The conduction time of Women and the elderly normally is slower than the younger adult men. The nerve conduction speed is generally get effected by certain things like the obesity, anxiety and temperature and skew the results. These two techniques are more effective than other techniques as they detected 84% of effected people and also eliminated 95% cases that are not true carpal tunnel syndrome. The other disorders like the pinched nerves in the neck or elbow or thoracic outlet syndrome can also be detected by these two Techniques.

Investigative Tests :