Professor and chairman of the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery at the University of Toledo Medical Center, Dr. Nabil Ebraheim provides care to patients with complex fractures involving the ankles and joints. Additionally, Dr. Nabil Ebraheim maintains a YouTube channel that provides viewers an in-depth look at various issues in his area of medical focus, such as carpal tunnel syndrome.
Situated on the palmar side of the wrist, the carpal tunnel is a narrow passageway of ligaments and bones. The median nerve passes through this area, as do nine flexor tendons that help control finger and thumb movements. Carpal tunnel syndrome occurs when the transverse carpal ligament places pressure on structures such as the median nerve. Symptoms include numbness, tingling, weakness, and pain in certain regions of the hand.
In certain cases, the carpal tunnel needs to be released, or widened, to provide more space for the ligaments and nerve to pass. A key surgical concern is avoiding cutting the recurrent motor branch of the median nerve, which allows for opposition of the thumb.
