Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Carpal tunnel syndrome occurs when the median nerve becomes compressed as it passes through a fibrous tunnel on the inside of the wrist. Sometimes, carpal tunnel syndrome is a manifestation of a systemic illness like diabetes, thyroid disorders, amyloidosis, and excess growth hormone. It is also common during pregnancy. Carpal tunnel syndrome if often diagnosed clinically with exam maneuvers that reproduce symptoms. A special type of nerve test called an EMG is occasionally used to make a definitive diagnosis.

 

Symptoms

Symptoms include pain, hand weakness, tingling in the 2nd - 4th fingers. Symptoms are often worse at night or when performing repetitive actions like typing on the computer.

 

Treatment

Treatment involves avoiding activities that worsen symptoms in combination with a neutral wrist splint and anti-inflammatory medication to reduce pain. If this fails, the next step is a steroid injection, which usually works well if performed correctly. Persistent symptoms that do not respond to the above measures and cases that involve atrophy (shrinkage) of the hand muscles are usually treated with surgery.