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MEDICAL ANIMATION TRANSCRIPT: The carpal tunnel is a narrow passage in the wrist. It is formed by wrist bones on the bottom and sides, and a tough band of connective tissue called the transverse carpal ligament on top. Muscle tendons and the median nerve pass through the carpal tunnel. The median nerve controls muscles in the palm and base of the thumb, allowing them to move. It also provides feeling to the thumb and nearby 2 and 1/2 fingers. Carpal tunnel syndrome is a condition where tissue swelling causes pressure to build up within the carpal tunnel. This puts pressure on the median nerve. Over time, median nerve pressure results in symptoms in the areas of hand it supplies. Common symptoms in these areas are pain, numbness, tingling, and weakness. Risk factors for carpal tunnel syndrome include a smaller carpal tunnel from being female or from genes passed down from parents, wrist injuries, other medical conditions that cause inflammation, fluid buildup, or nerve damage such as diabetes, pregnancy, rheumatoid arthritis, obesity, and hypothyroidism, and repetitive hand or wrist motions. A common treatment for mild to moderate carpal tunnel syndrome is keeping the wrist in a neutral position by wearing a brace or splint. In addition, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or NSAIDs may help relieve pain. A doctor may also recommend a corticosteroid injection to reduce inflammation and swelling. For moderate to severe symptoms, a doctor may recommend a surgical procedure called carpal tunnel release. This procedure may be done as an open procedure through an incision in the palm and wrist. Or it may be done as an endoscopic procedure through a small keyhole incision. The surgeon will perform this procedure with an endoscope, which is a device containing a tiny camera and surgical instruments. In both procedures, the transverse carpal ligament will be cut to relieve pressure on the median nerve. At the end of either procedure, the incision will be closed with sutures.
"Thank you for the splendid medical-legal art work you did for us in the
case of a young girl who was blinded by a bb pellet. As a result of your
graphic illustrations of this tragic injury, we were able to persuade the
insurance company to increase their initial offer of $75,000.00 to
$475,000.00, just short of their policy limits.
We simply wanted you to know how pleased we were with your work which, to
repeat, was of superlative character, and to let you know that we would be
more than willing to serve as a reference in case you ever need one. Many
thanks for an extraordinary and dramatic depiction of a very serious injury
which clearly "catapulted" the insurance company's offer to a "full and
fair" amount to settle this case."
Philip C. Coulter Coulter &Coulter Roanoke, VA
"A few words about The Doe Report: recently in a brachial plexus injury
case, we used an image from The Doe Report to demonstrate the injury. We
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Andrew Needle
Needle Gallagher & Ellenberg, P.A.
Miami, FL
"Our firm was able to settle our case at an all day mediation yesterday and
I am confident that the detail and overall appearance of the medical
illustrations significantly contributed to the settlement. When we require
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Noel Turner, III
Burts, Turner, Rhodes & Thompson
Spartanburg, SC
"[I] have come to rely upon the Doe Report and your great staff of
illustrators for all my medical malpractice cases. … Please know
that I enthusiastically recommend you to all my colleagues.
Medical Legal Art creates medical demonstrative evidence (medical
illustrations, drawings, pictures, graphics, charts, medical animations,
anatomical models, and interactive presentations) for use during legal
proceedings, including research, demand letters, client conferences,
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advice. If you have legal questions, you should find a lawyer with whom you
can discuss your case issues. If you have medical questions, you should seek the advice of a healthcare provider.