Introduction: Carpal tunnel syndrome is the most common peripheral nerve entrapment disorder, associated with various factors such as repetitive movements, vibrations, genetic predisposition, and specific conditions. Clinical diagnosis is based on numbness, tingling, and nighttime paresthesias. Treatment includes conservative methods and surgical procedures, with wrist orthoses effectively reducing pressure on the median nerve. Purpose: The purpose of this thesis is to create two custom-made orthoses for a patient with carpal tunnel syndrome and to compare custom-made orthoses with commercial orthoses. Methods: The thesis is based on practical work. We custom-made two functional orthoses from polyethylene and polyethylene foam for a patient with carpal tunnel syndrome, designed to align the wrist and relieve pressure on the carpal tunnel. The procedure included taking measurements, making plaster negatives and positives, processing the model, and designing and adjusting the orthoses. Results: We made two night orthoses for the patient with carpal tunnel syndrome. The orthoses fit well, only the straps needed to be adjusted. After some initial discomfort, wearing the orthoses improved. Due to the severity of the syndrome, surgery was necessary, so we were unable to assess the long-term effectiveness of the orthoses. Discussion and conclusion: Carpal tunnel syndrome is the most common entrapment neuropathy of the upper extremities. Conservative treatment, such as wearing orthoses, is recommended for mild to moderate symptoms, as it reduces pressure on the median nerve and alleviates symptoms. Studies show that custom-made orthoses are more effective than commercial ones, but the difference is small. The orthosis was suitable as no redness or skin irritation occurred after 30 days of wearing it.
|