Sintomatología del síndrome del túnel del carpo en los docentes del programa de Instrumentación Quirúrgica de la Universidad Santiago de Cali en el año 2018

Abstract

Carpo Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) is a trapping of the median nerve in the carpal tunnel; It is more common among women and is considered an occupational disease. Its etiology is diverse, including local, regional and systemic causes. However, in clinical practice this is unknown in up to 50% of cases. Little is known about its pathophysiology; Three theories are proposed to explain it: compression, micro vascular insufficiency and vibrational theory. With regard to the above, the carpal tunnel syndrome symptomatology was evaluated in the instructors of the Surgical Instrumentation program of the Santiago de Cali University in 2018. A survey was elaborated and designed and also the Boston questionnaire that measured the intensity of the symptoms, the functional status and the quality of life of the teachers of practice and theory with symptomatology of the carpal tunnel syndrome, which was applied to 40 teachers of the surgical instrumentation program. In addition, the analysis of the results showed that 88% of the participants belong to the female sex, in an age range between 36 and 49 years. Regarding the marital status of people, the most frequent is married, in 43% of the cases and free union in 35%, this is related to the fact that they are mostly women and they must dedicate time to their housework, which 55% say they devote to these activities between 2 and 3 hours a day. To himself it was found that 83% have more than 10 years working in the healthcare area. Therefore, in this study, only 10% of the teachers said they were diagnosed with carpal tunnel syndrome; in the same way, it was found that 73% stated that in their daily tasks they carried around more than 4 kg. to the other causes or diseases associated with its appearance, only 5% as diabetes or rheumatoid arthritis, only 5% of teachers surveyed suffer from hypothyroidism. Another factor that helps in the prevalence of carpal tunnel syndrome is the use of the cell phone and the computer, finding that they use less the computer than the cell phone, 50% dedicate between 2 and 3 hours a day to the cell phone, while the computer uses it less than one hour 37% of them. More than 70% are aware that they must take active breaks during their daily activity, in order to prevent carpal tunnel syndrome; however, 53% say that they never do it during their workday, also finding that only the 25% receive training once per quarter on active breaks at work, also 58% do not do physical activity in their free time, where there is commitment to the movement of hands. Regarding the Boston questionnaire, 25% reported pain in the hand or wrists during the night, having to get up at least 15% at least once during the night; Parallel to this it was found that 25% reported pain during the day, presenting one to two times a day up to five or more times. It was even found that at 23% of numbness or loss of sensitivity in the hand. Weakness in the hand or wrist in 28% and tingling during the day in 25%; But to a tingling sensation during the night in 25%, should wake up at least once in the night 13% of people, 8% do it two or three times at night. On the other hand, 13% have a slight difficulty in grasping or using small objects such as keys or pens. We found symptoms of numbness of one finger in 25.24%, being the most prevalent symptom joint pain, in 12.62%. A prevalence of pain in the hands during the last two weeks was found in 53.1% of people, being the most frequent symptom the pain during the day, daytime pain in 36.3%, night pain 11.3%, weakness, 32.5%, daytime numbness 23.8%, nighttime numbness 5% and difficulty in grasping 12.5%. In relation to this it is concluded that although the work of the Surgical Instrumenter is related to the appearance of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, there is a quite significant percentage equivalent to 75% who report not having any type of discomfort or pain, for which reason it can be prevent the onset of this pathology, taking into account that in many cases the age does not exceed 45 years. However, some do not have more than 10 years practicing the profession and they know some guidelines such as active work breaks, in order to avoid suffering.