Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

What Is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?

Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) occurs when the median nerve is compressed as it passes through the carpal tunnel—a narrow passageway in the wrist. This causes numbness, tingling, and weakness in the hand and fingers. It's one of the most common nerve entrapment conditions, affecting up to 5% of adults.¹

Symptoms²

Numbness and tingling in thumb, index, middle, and ring fingers
Symptoms often worse at night
Waking up with numb hands
Weakness in hand grip
Dropping things
Pain that may radiate up the arm
Shaking hands to relieve symptoms

Risk Factors

Repetitive hand/wrist movements
Pregnancy
Diabetes
Thyroid disorders
Rheumatoid arthritis
Obesity
Female sex (3x more common)
Wrist anatomy

Diagnosis³

Physical examination
Phalen's test (wrist flexion)
Tinel's sign (tapping over nerve)
Nerve conduction studies (confirm diagnosis)
Electromyography (EMG)
Ultrasound (sometimes)

Treatment

Conservative (First-Line)

Wrist splinting (especially at night)
Activity modification
NSAIDs
Ergonomic changes
Hand exercises

Injections

Corticosteroid injection
May provide temporary relief
Can help predict surgery success

Surgery

Carpal tunnel release
Open or endoscopic technique
High success rate
Usually outpatient procedure

Self-Care

Wear wrist splint at night
Take frequent breaks from repetitive tasks
Keep wrist in neutral position
Gentle stretching exercises
Avoid sleeping on hands

Ergonomic Tips

Keep keyboard at elbow height
Maintain neutral wrist position
Use ergonomic keyboard and mouse
Take regular breaks
Adjust workstation setup

When to Seek Care

Persistent symptoms
Constant numbness
Weakness or muscle wasting
Dropping objects frequently
Symptoms affecting daily activities

References

Atroshi I, Gummesson C, Johnsson R, et al. Prevalence of carpal tunnel syndrome in a general population. JAMA. 1999;282(2):153-158.
Padua L, Coraci D, Erra C, et al. Carpal tunnel syndrome: clinical features, diagnosis, and management. Lancet Neurol. 2016;15(12):1273-1284.
American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Management of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Evidence-Based Clinical Practice Guideline. AAOS; 2016.