The CME on the Go series of the Inside Family Medicine podcast lets you earn up to 0.5 CME credits per episode — join the co-hosts as they dive into the complexities of carpal tunnel syndrome. In this episode, they explore its diagnosis, common risk factors, and effective treatment options, sharing valuable insights and practical advice to help family physicians manage this prevalent condition in their practice.  

They discuss the latest diagnostic techniques, identify common risk factors, and review a range of effective treatment options. The episode features expert insights and practical tips aimed at helping family physicians better understand and manage this condition in their patients. Tune in to gain valuable knowledge that can enhance patient care and improve outcomes for those suffering from carpal tunnel syndrome.

Your hosts for this episode are Lauren Brown-Berchtold, MD, FAAFP, program director for the San Joaquin General Family Medicine Residency in French Camp, Calif.; Jason Marker, MD, MPA, FAAFP, associate director of the Memorial Hospital Family Medicine Residency program in South Bend, Ind.; and Tamaan Osbourne-Roberts, MD, MBA, FAAFP, chief medical officer and vice president of health strategy at the public sector health plan Colorado Access. 

Whether you're navigating patient queries or seeking to enhance your clinical knowledge, this episode offers valuable insights and practical advice for family physicians. Tune in now and earn CME credit!

Credit Claiming 

After listening to the podcast episode, claim 0.5 AAFP credit by following the provided link. https://www.aafp.org/assessment/take/15314/e

Learning Objectives

1. Recognize the clinical features and risk factors associated with carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS).
2. Discuss the diagnostic evaluation and differential diagnosis of CTS.
3. Review conservative and surgical management options for patients with CTS, including indications, outcomes, and complications.

Topics By Timestamp

• 00:00 Introduction to Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
• 01:09 Meet the Hosts
• 01:53 Case Presentation: A 36-Year-Old Female
• 02:30 Understanding Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
• 04:05 Diagnostic Evaluation Techniques
• 10:24 Conservative Management Options
• 12:41 Corticosteroid Injections: Pros and Cons
• 15:23 Surgical Management and Outcomes
• 20:17 Differential Diagnosis: What Else Could It Be?
• 22:55 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
• 23:33 Gratitude and Acknowledgements
• 25:04 Outro and Next Episode Preview

References/Resources 

1. American Family Physician. (2024, June). Point-of-Care Guides: Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. Retrieved from https://www.aafp.org/pubs/afp/issues/2024/0600/pocg-carpal-tunnel-syndrome.html.
2. American Family Physician. (2016, November 15). Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: Diagnosis and Management. Retrieved from https://www.aafp.org/pubs/afp/issues/2016/1115/p830.html.
3. American Family Physician. (2024, January). Cochrane for Clinicians: Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. Retrieved from https://www.aafp.org/pubs/afp/issues/2024/0100/cochrane-carpal-tunnel-syndrome.html.
4. American Family Physician. (2016, December 15). Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: Treatment Options. Retrieved from https://www.aafp.org/pubs/afp/issues/2016/1215/p993.html.
5. JAMA. (2022). Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. Retrieved from https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2793920.
6. Nature. (2024). Comprehensive Review on Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. Retrieved from https://www.nature.com/articles/s41572-024-00521-1.
7. Biomedicines. (2023). Advances in Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Research. Retrieved from https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9059/11/6/1744.
8. Washington State Department of Labor and Industries. (2024). Long-term Burden of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. Retrieved from https://lni.wa.gov/safety-health/safety-research/completed-projects/long-term-burden-of-carpal-tunnel-syndrome.
9. Gabrielli AS, Lesiak AC, Fowler JR. (2020). The Direct and Indirect Costs to Society of Carpal Tunnel Release. Hand (N Y), 15(2), NP1-NP5. doi:10.1177/1558944718810855.
10. Brodeur PG, Patel DD, Licht AH, Loftus DH, Cruz AI Jr, Gil JA. (2021). Demographic Disparities amongst Patients Receiving Carpal Tunnel Release: A Retrospective Review of 92,921 Patients. Plast Reconstr Surg Glob Open, 9(11), e3959. doi:10.1097/GOX.0000000000003959.
11. Ergonomics. Overview of Joint Protection. Retrieved from https://www.uptodate.com/contents/overview-of-joint-protection?search=carpal%20tunnel%20syndrome%20ergonomics&source=search_result&selectedTitle=1%7E150&usage_type=default&display_rank=1.
12. UpToDate. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnosis. Retrieved from https://www.uptodate.com/contents/carpal-tunnel-syndrome-clinical-manifestations-and-diagnosis?search=carpal%20tunnel%20syndrome&source=search_result&selectedTitle=2%7E140&usage_type=default&display_rank=2.

Disclosure: It is the policy of the AAFP that all individuals in a position to control content disclose any relationships with commercial interests upon nomination/invitation of participation. Disclosure documents are reviewed for potential conflicts of interest and, if identified, conflicts are resolved prior to confirmation of participation. Only those participants who had no conflict of interest or who agreed to an identified resolution process prior to their participation were involved in this CME activity. 

All individuals in a position to control content for this session have indicated they have no relevant financial relationships to disclose. 

Disclaimer: Copyright 2024. AAFP. The views presented in this broadcast are the speaker’s own and do not represent those of AAFP.  The information presented is for general, educational, or entertainment purposes and should not be considered legal, health, financial, or other advice.  AAFP makes no representation as to the accuracy or completeness of the information and is not responsible for results that may arise from its use.  Consult an appropriate professional concerning your specific situation and respective governing bodies for applicable laws. Reference to any specific product or entity does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by AAFP unless specifically stated otherwise. AAFP and the AAFP logo are registered trademarks of American Academy of Family Physicians.