Double crush syndrome means that nerves being irritated up in the neck or at some proximal location like the thoracic outlet (in the shoulder) are causing a peripheral nerve entrapment like carpal tunnel or ulnar entrapment at the elbow. How is this possible? |
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The diagram above shows a nerve that's being compressed by the green spike. Let's say this is the nerve as it gets compressed in the thoracic outlet. Nutrients that would normally be flowing to the more distant part of the nerves in the hand get blocked up. Less nutrients end up flowing past the green spike (as shown by the black arrows getting smaller as they pass this area of compression). Now lets say that the nerve goes through a tight area in the wrist like the carpal tunnel. While the healthy nerve had no problem with this additional compression, the sick nerve now has less reserve and resilience. Because of the compression farther up (in the thoracic outlet) carpal tunnel develops. | |
Research: |
Study 1-Nerve Conduction Studies at the wrist... |
Study 2-Double crush and TOS... |
Study 3-Double Crush Carpal Tunnel and Neck Pain |
Study 4-Double Crush and Surgical Outcome |
Study 5-Double Crush and Surgical Outcome |
Study 6-Classic Basic Science on Double Crush | |