Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

It is caused by compression on the median nerve, a large nerve that passes through a tunnel called the carpal tunnel on the underside of the wrist. The carpal tunnel can be thought of as a narrow passage surrounded by bones and ligaments on the palm side of the hand. When the median nerve is compressed, it can lead to numbness, tingling, and weakness in the hand and arm.

The anatomy of the wrist, such as narrowing in the tunnel, health conditions like diabetes and hypothyroidism, pregnancy, and repetitive hand movements, potentially associated with certain occupational diseases, can contribute to carpal tunnel syndrome.

Appropriate treatment usually alleviates tingling and numbness and restores wrist and hand function to its previous state.

What are the symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome?

The symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome typically start gradually and include the following:

Tingling or numbness.

You may notice tingling and numbness in your fingers or hand. It typically affects the thumb, index, and middle or ring fingers, but the pinky finger is often not affected. You may experience a sensation like an electric shock in these fingers.

The sensation of electric shock can extend from the wrist up to the arm. These symptoms often occur when gripping a steering wheel, holding a phone or newspaper, or they may wake you up from sleep.

Most patients “shake” their hands to alleviate their symptoms. The sensation of numbness can become constant over time.

Weakness

You may experience weakness in your hand and may drop objects. This can be due to the numbness in the hand or weakness in the muscles that control the bending of the thumb, which is controlled by the median nerve.

When Should I See a Doctor?

If you have symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome that interfere with your normal activities and sleep patterns, it is advisable to see a healthcare professional. Without treatment, permanent nerve and muscle damage can occur.

Diagnosis

The primary tools used in diagnosis include EMG (electromyogram), ultrasound, wrist X-rays, and MRI.

Treatment Process

The initial recommended treatment for carpal tunnel syndrome is, of course, non-surgical treatment. If diagnosed and treated early, the symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome can usually be relieved without surgery. If your diagnosis is uncertain or if you have mild symptoms, your doctor will first recommend non-surgical treatment options.