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What Causes Carpal Tunnel Syndrome After Sustaining An Electric Shock Injury?
Question: Hello I sustained an electric shock to right hand approximately 10 months ago, since then I have had carpal tunnel like symptoms - could the electric shock have caused this? I also had an entry wound below right thumb and much bigger exit wound left hip. I have had cardiac palpitations ever since treated with beta blockers, 7 day ECG showed mild Atrial fibrillation. Normally fit and well
Brief Answer:
Yes, it can
Detailed Answer:
Dear Ms, I have gone through your question and I can understand your concerns but unfortunately, electric shock can cause electrical injury to the median nerve that might be strong enough to cause such neural damage. This will lead to the development of carpal tunnel syndrome.
Also, electric shocks can lead to a wide variety of cardiac rhythm abnormalities such as atrial fibrillation. Atrial fibrillation usually soon revert back to normal sinus rhythm on treatment with beta blockers.
Since your entry and exit wounds were that far apart that means that the electric current you were exposed to was a quite high voltage and that is why it caused you these chronic complications.
I hope I answered your question.
Let me know if I can assist you further.
Regards
Yes, it can
Detailed Answer:
Dear Ms, I have gone through your question and I can understand your concerns but unfortunately, electric shock can cause electrical injury to the median nerve that might be strong enough to cause such neural damage. This will lead to the development of carpal tunnel syndrome.
Also, electric shocks can lead to a wide variety of cardiac rhythm abnormalities such as atrial fibrillation. Atrial fibrillation usually soon revert back to normal sinus rhythm on treatment with beta blockers.
Since your entry and exit wounds were that far apart that means that the electric current you were exposed to was a quite high voltage and that is why it caused you these chronic complications.
I hope I answered your question.
Let me know if I can assist you further.
Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Arnab Banerjee
Thank you
Is the neural damage likely to be permanent as well as the cardiac arrhythmia?
As soon as I reduce the beta blocker dose the cardiac symptoms return. I am a RN so have been trying to self assess frequency and dosage need.
Kind Regards
Joanne
Is the neural damage likely to be permanent as well as the cardiac arrhythmia?
As soon as I reduce the beta blocker dose the cardiac symptoms return. I am a RN so have been trying to self assess frequency and dosage need.
Kind Regards
Joanne
Brief Answer:
More likely, yes
Detailed Answer:
Dear Ms, unfourtanetly the atrial fibrillation is likely to be a permenant condition and you will need to continue on the beta blockers . I would not recommend that you try to decrease the dose or stop the beta blockers without a medical supervision . This can lead to the developement of an atrial fibrillation that is resistant to beta blockers and beta blockers can lose their efficacy in returning you cardiac rhythm to normal sinus rhythm.
As for the nerve injury , this will depend on the extent of damage to the nerve. I would recommend a wrist splint or resting your hand as you could together with an anti inflammatory as ibuprofen tablets, these measures can reduce the inflammation around the nerve and reduce the symptoms . I hope you find this helpful.
More likely, yes
Detailed Answer:
Dear Ms, unfourtanetly the atrial fibrillation is likely to be a permenant condition and you will need to continue on the beta blockers . I would not recommend that you try to decrease the dose or stop the beta blockers without a medical supervision . This can lead to the developement of an atrial fibrillation that is resistant to beta blockers and beta blockers can lose their efficacy in returning you cardiac rhythm to normal sinus rhythm.
As for the nerve injury , this will depend on the extent of damage to the nerve. I would recommend a wrist splint or resting your hand as you could together with an anti inflammatory as ibuprofen tablets, these measures can reduce the inflammation around the nerve and reduce the symptoms . I hope you find this helpful.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Yogesh D
Answered by
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