What do you think the neurologist will do?

Question

What will the neurologist do?
I am going on jan 4 to talk about my hand. The reg. Dr suspects carpal tunnel? what do you think the neurologist will be doing for tests?

Answer 1

The neurologist will check your hands for strength, to see if one hand is stronger than the other. He will poke you gently with a pin on different parts of your hand while your eyes are closed to see if it feels dull or sharp, or if you can feel it at all to check for nerves that are damaged or pinched. He will probably do a complete neurological check while you are there- close your eyes, touch your finger to your nose...reflexes, various tests of this nature. If he suspects carpal tunnel after this, he will schedule you for a nerve conduction test. This test is mildly uncomfortable- I've had it several times- and involves placing a very thin needle into a nerve, stimulating that nerve, and seeing how far down the nerve the message goes. In carpal tunnel, the swelling in your wrist squeezes the nerve, and the message from the stimulation won't be able to pass all the way down the nerve. Don't worry about this test- think accupunture. Its the best way to see what's really going on. Good luck- I hope its good news.

Answer 2

I have had carpal tunnel syndrome. They have a torture test that will tell them the answer. Sorry, I didn't mean to scare you, but the test is not pleasant, but it doesn't take long. They shock you in one place and look for a reading in another.
It probably is carpal tunnel syndrome if the GP suspects that it is. Some people have a ganglion cyst that grows in that area which can give the same results. Ganglion cysts are rare and carpal tunnel syndrome is not. If you have a job with a lot of repetitive motion with that hand, then that is probably the answer. There are two different surgical ways of fixing it. One is to cut the palm of the hand open cutting that tendon across the heel of your hand. By cutting it open that way, they can actually look for a ganglion cyst. I chose the other surgery which is macrosurgery and leaves only the tiniest scar and while the tendon takes just as long to grow back, this type surgery gets you back to using your hand more quickly.

Answer 3

I would think x-rays to start with to let him see how narrow the tunnel is. If it is carpal tunnel syndrome he will discuss with you the need for surgery if it is seriously pinched. Consider delay of surgery and opt for a splint to be worn on the hand. This often alleviates the problem over a few months. Some people wear a splint only at night and find it helps. (That is what I do) Surgery is NOT always the best answer since this could return over time.

Answer 4

Physicians can use specific tests to try to produce the symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome. In the Tinel test, the doctor taps on or presses on the median nerve in the patient's wrist. The test is positive when tingling in the fingers or a resultant shock-like sensation occurs. The Phalen, or wrist-flexion, test involves having the patient hold his or her forearms upright by pointing the fingers down and pressing the backs of the hands together. The presence of carpal tunnel syndrome is suggested if one or more symptoms, such as tingling or increasing numbness, is felt in the fingers within 1 minute. Doctors may also ask patients to try to make a movement that brings on symptoms.

Answer 5

I did the testing for this. They will most likely do a Nerve Conduction Test. They will put an electrode on your hand and on your arm and stimulate one with a quick pulse and record the time it takes to get to the other one. If it is slowed then you most likely have carpal tunnel.

Answer 6

To make sure there are no blockages ot tumers in your brain that could be causing problems.