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Could carpal tunnel symptoms be a sign of a much more serious condition?
ABC7 Los Angeles • • health
Key Points:
- Greg Hansen initially sought treatment for numbness and pain in his right hand, diagnosed as carpal tunnel syndrome, but further testing revealed a more serious condition called amyloidosis.
- Amyloidosis involves misfolded proteins forming plaques that can affect multiple organs and is often misdiagnosed due to its similarity to other conditions, primarily affecting men over 50 and women over 60.
- During carpal tunnel surgery, Dr. Daniel Gittings took a tissue sample that confirmed Greg's amyloidosis diagnosis, revealing heart muscle weakness caused by the disease.
- Treatment with protein stabilizer medications can slow amyloidosis progression, and Greg experienced significant improvement shortly after starting injections.
- Dr. Gittings emphasizes the importance of testing for amyloidosis in older adults with bilateral carpal tunnel symptoms, as early detection can prevent severe complications like heart failure.
