Description

Nerve Entrapment

What is Nerve Entrapment? How is it treated?

The impulses that enable us to move are transmitted from
the brain and spinal cord to the relevant muscles via nerves. The nerves,
which we can liken to a thin electrical wire, are responsible for the
transmission of the senses as well as the movement. Under normal
conditions, all movements of the arms, legs, hands and feet take place
perfectly and do not cause any complaints, thanks to the harmony of sensory and
movement properties. However, in some cases, the nerves to the hand and
foot muscles are compressed while passing through thin canals and nerve
compression may occur. The most common nerve compression is known as
“Carpal Tunnel Syndrome” and affects the wrist and fingers. This
discomfort, which occurs when the median nerve, which goes to the first four
fingers of the hand, is squeezed at the wrist level, It is common in those
who use their hands a lot due to their profession and housewives. The most
important symptom is hand numbness that awakens you from sleep at night. Sometimes
there may be pain, but numbness is usually in the foreground; patients
indicate that they are relieved when they shake their hands. During the
day, these complaints recur and over time, the strength of the fingers
decreases and the items held in the hand begin to fall. A similar
condition develops in the ankles and toes of those who wear high-heeled shoes,
especially those who work in heavy work, and it is called “Tarsal Tunnel
syndrome”. Similar complaints occur in the ankles and toes. During
the day, these complaints recur and over time, the strength of the fingers
decreases and the items held in the hand begin to fall. A similar
condition develops in the ankles and toes of those who wear high-heeled shoes,
especially those who work in heavy work, and it is called “Tarsal Tunnel
syndrome”. Similar complaints occur in the ankles and toes. During
the day, these complaints recur and over time, the strength of the fingers
decreases and the items held in the hand begin to fall. A similar
condition develops in the ankles and toes of those who wear high-heeled shoes,
especially those who work in heavy work, and it is called “Tarsal Tunnel
syndrome”. Similar complaints occur in the ankles and toes.

In both nerve impingement disorders, a definitive diagnosis must first be
made. After the first examination, nerve messages should be measured with
a sensitive system called EMG. As a result of this examination, medical
treatments and physical therapy methods are used in cases that are not very
advanced and have not yet lost strength. A suitable splint is given to
ensure the rest of the hand and in some cases injection therapy can be applied. Physical
therapy is used to relax and accelerate the recovery in the area where the
nerve is compressed. Water therapy, ultrasound, paraffin, laser and
magnetic field treatments are among the most commonly used physical therapy
tools. Then, with appropriate exercises, it is tried to strengthen the
muscles and increase the elasticity. Surgical methods are used in advanced
cases. The passage of the nerve is relieved with the surgery performed on
the hand or ankle. After the operation, a physical therapy and
rehabilitation program of 15-20 sessions is applied to relieve joint stiffness
and strengthen the muscles. Later, occupational factors are tried to be
corrected so that the same discomfort does not recur, training and exercises
are made to correct errors related to the use of hands and feet.