Healthcare Case Study: Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and Homeostasis

This case study examines a 38-year-old female diagnosed with carpal tunnel syndrome, detailing her symptoms, physical examination findings, and laboratory results. The patient experienced wrist pain, weakness, numbness, and tingling, leading to sleep loss and difficulty with daily activities. The analysis includes the identification of relevant symptoms and signs, such as positive Phalen's and Tinel tests, and the organs and tissues involved, specifically the median nerve and the hand. The assignment further explores the pathophysiology of carpal tunnel syndrome, explaining the pressure on the median nerve within the carpal tunnel and its impact on nerve function, leading to pain and sensory disturbances. The case study also discusses the patient's treatment, including ibuprofen, wrist splint, and a referral for carpal tunnel release, along with the importance of physical therapy for recovery. The analysis emphasizes the impact of carpal tunnel syndrome on the patient's quality of life and the importance of timely and appropriate interventions.

Health and Hemostasis
Task: As an exercise of application of your understanding of the subject content knowledge,
you will assess one case study and then answer the accompanying questions. Please see the
questions appended below.
Clinical CASE Scenario – Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
History: A 38-year old female was seen by a HR adviser as a management referral following
her repeated short-term absences associated with a three-month history of wrist pain. For
the past 15 years, she has been doing extensive repetitive clerical work. She complained of
mild to moderate pain in the right hand with weakness of the thumb and numbness and
tingling sensation in the digits. There had been instances when she was dropping heavier
objects. She had been losing sleep due to her hand discomfort. Her GP diagnosed her
condition as carpal tunnel syndrome. She is a nonsmoker and drank alcohol occasionally.
Her usual exercise is a 30-minute walk to and from the train station during her commute.
There is no history of trauma.
Physical examination: The patient has a BMI of 35 kg/m2. Phalen’s and Tinel tests are
positive. The thenar prominence has less bulk in the right hand compared with the left hand.
Thumb strength in the right hand is reduced. Opposition in the right hand is weaker when
compared with the left hand.
Laboratory studies: Free T4 and T3 and fasting blood sugar level were normal. While doing
the nerve conduction study, the motor and sensory latency values of the median nerve are
prolonged and the conduction velocity across the palm and wrist is reduced.
Her GP prescribed her with ibuprofen and recommended a wrist splint. She is referred to a
specialist for possible carpal tunnel release.
(1) In the clinical case scenario, which symptoms (experienced by the patient like chest pain)
and signs (observed by another person like swelling or redness) are consistent with the
diagnosis? Word limit: 50 words
In the present case scenario the signs and symptoms that has been faced by the patients
includes mild to moderate pain in the right hand with weakness of the thumb and numbness
and tingling sensation in the digits (Wipperman & Goerl, (2016). She was also unable to
sleep for quite some time. This was consistent with the diagnosis.
(2) Given the symptoms and signs in the clinical case scenario, which organs, tissues
and/or body parts are involved or affected by the homeostatic disturbance? Word limit: 50
words
Write your answers here.

The GP of the professional has provided with the details that patient is been suffering from
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. It is a condition which causes pain and numbness. The
haemostatic related to this syndrome has provided the details that this disease can affect bot
the hands (Cooke & Duncan, (2017). It can lead to the permanent damage of the nerve and
muscle tissue damage.
(3) What processes are involved that can explain the homeostatic disturbance/s in the
clinical case scenario? Word limit: 500 words
Write your answers here.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome It is a condition which causes pain and numbness and also patient
can face the tingling in the hands. The pathophysiology related to this disease has included
that this problem is basically been faced by the patients because of the pressure on the
median nerve. The early signs and symptom’s related to the disease can include the fingers
feel swollen, the pain and tingling when involved in doing any type of work. In the present
case scenario it has been analysed that the patient was includes mild to moderate pain in
the right hand with weakness of the thumb and numbness and tingling sensation in the
digits. She was also facing the same problem when sleeping. It has been analysed from the
case study that Phalen’s and Tinel tests are positive. The thenar prominence has less bulk in
the right hand compared with the left hand. If these both the tests are positive, it clearly
means that the patient is been suffering from the Carpal Tunnel syndrome. A positive results
basically means that a tingling sensation is been felt when the health care professional has
taps the affected nerve. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome anatomy includes that the median nerve is
been passed to the tunnel and is been involved in providing the sensation to the thumb or
index finger. The Pathophysiology of the carpal tunnel syndrome can include that the
longitudinal movement of the median nerve in the carpal tunnel was found to be 9.6 mm
during flexion, and 0.7-1.4 cm in wrist extension. This measurement can differ and can also
be noted at the 2.5 to 9.6 mm (Duncan, Bhate & Mustaly, (2017). This disease can affect
the quality of life of patient and they can also feel un-easy and will not be able to sleep when
going through this disease. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome can also affect the quality of life
negatively. It can affect the patients health related outcome. It has been analysed from the
case study that GP has provided the patient with her with ibuprofen and recommended a
wrist splint. During the test the blood sugar level of the patient was found to be normal, it
means that the patient is not been suffering from the other type of disease such as diabetes.
This syndrome can get worse if not been treated on time. In the present case scenario the
patient has been suggested to for possible carpal tunnel release. During this surgery the
health care professional has been engaged in making an incision at the base of the palm of
the hand. This surgery can help patient in overcoming the problems related to this disease. It
has also been suggested that she can also be involved in taking physical therapy. This will
assist her in enhancing the health outcome and also overcoming rom he disease such as
carpal tunnel. It will help in reducing the down the numbness in hands that has been faced
by patient.
Please cite book/s or journal article/s to support your answer. Use in-text referencing.
Suggestion: start with the anatomy and the normal physiology, then pathophysiology and link it
with signs and symptoms.

References: APA 7 referencing format
Write your references here. Limit: 10 references APA
Duncan, S. F., Bhate, O., & Mustaly, H. (2017). Pathophysiology of carpal tunnel syndrome.
In Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and Related Median Neuropathies (pp. 13-29). Springer, Cham.
Cooke, M. E., & Duncan, S. F. (2017). History of carpal tunnel syndrome. In Carpal tunnel
syndrome and related median neuropathies (pp. 7-11). Springer, Cham.
Wipperman, J., & Goerl, K. (2016). Carpal tunnel syndrome: diagnosis and
management. American family physician, 94(12), 993-999.