Tunnel syndromes form a separate group of
tunnel neuropathies , which are a whole complex of trophic, sensory and motor disorders resulting from compression in the channels of peripheral nerves.
Tunnel syndromes and their causes:
• congenital anomalies, expressed in the narrowness of the channel;
• injuries;
• frequent repetitions of stereotypical movements;
• concomitant diseases (rheumatoid arthritis, chronic renal failure, amyloidosis, diabetes mellitus, hypothyroidism and others).
Despite the fact that tunnel syndromes can occur in different places and for various reasons, there is a general list of symptoms characteristic of this group of diseases:
• "shooting" and "pecking" pain;
• numbness;
• tingling sensation during movement;
• limited movement;
• weakness of certain muscle groups;
• malnutrition.
The doctor studies the clinical picture of the disease, ultrasound and electroneuromyography are performed.
Tunnel syndromes and their types
There are two main types of tunnel syndromes:
• syndromes of the upper extremities (neuropathies of the radial and axillary nerves, carpal and cubital canal syndromes);
• syndromes of the lower extremities (neuropathies of the femoral, external skin, piriformis syndrome).
Each of these pathologies has its own specific features and can bring a person a lot of trouble.
Carpal tunnel syndrome (carpal tunnel syndrome)
In recent years, more and more people are experiencing manifestations of carpal tunnel syndrome. This is due to the fact that people for one reason or another spend too much time working with electronic devices: computers, tablets, mobile phones.
The cause of this type of syndrome is squeezing carpal ligament of the median nerve. Most often, this disease affects musicians (pianists, violinists, cellists) and people whose work involves a load on the hands and frequent repetition of flexion and extension movements (programmers, builders).
This type of tunnel syndrome is manifested by a decrease in the sensitivity of the middle, index and thumb, pains, including night pain, the transition of the pain syndrome further down the arm (up to the elbow joint). The sensitivity of the first three fingers to touch and temperature, muscle weakness is reduced.
Tunnel Syndrome: Treatment
Both surgical (nerve excision) and conservative treatment methods (physiotherapy, steroids, exercise therapy, acupuncture, limb fixation, vitamin therapy) are equally successfully used in the treatment of tunnel syndrome. The doctor's recommendations will largely depend on the stage of the disease. However, before proceeding with the treatment of the disease, you need to find the reason why it manifested itself. When it is a local or general disease, it will be more appropriate to conduct additional examinations and therapy of the underlying ailment. It is possible that then the syndrome will pass along with the disease that provoked it.