Pathologies of the Elbow, Wrist, and Hand

• Select one of the subsequent case and related pathology

Helen, K., a 55-year old patient with diabetes complains about ongoing pain, tinging, and numbness in her right hand. After a nerve condition study was performed, her physician diagnosed her carpal tunnel syndrome.

• Assess common causes for your selected pathology.
  

Diabetes, thyroid dysfunction, high blood pressure, and trauma are all known causes of carpal tunnel. Carpal tunnel syndrome is common and results from compression of the median nerve at the level of the wrist. Any condition that leads to an increase in pressure within the carpal tunnel can compress the median nerve, resulting in neuropathic changes. Secondary compressive factors are rare but do exist such as anatomical variations, susceptibility of the nerve to pressure, or space occupying lesions. (Warwick, D. 2013).

• Research a video which includes captioning and educates our peers about the pathology you selected above. Include a description on how to access the video or include the direct link to your selection within your discussion forum posting. 

http://fod.infobase.com.proxy-library.ashford.edu/p_ViewVideo.aspx?xtid=40704#?

• Analyze how the change in structure can impact your selected person’s function on a daily basis. How might the patient in the case study compensate in order to accomplish normal activities?

Carpal tunnel can be very inconvenient and often painful but there are ways to relieve discomfort without surgery. Wearing a splint, taking regular hand breaks, cortisone shots, and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSADs) can help. Also exercises such as making a fist and extending your fingers as far as you can for sets of 10 can help too. (Siegfried, D. 2017).