Carpal tunnel syndrome
Carpal tunnel syndrome
This information may help you understand carpal tunnel syndrome if you have been diagnosed with it. If you have new or ongoing symptoms, please visit your healthcare professional for advice.
Read more about self-managing a wrist, hand, finger or thumb problem.
What is carpal tunnel syndrome?
Carpal tunnel syndrome is a common condition that affects the median nerve as it passes through a narrow tunnel in your wrist.
The carpal tunnel is formed by the small wrist bones, called carpals, along with a thick ligament. This tunnel holds the tendons that bend your fingers and thumb, as well as the median nerve.
Sometimes this nerve gets squeezed, which can cause pain, numbness, burning or tingling in your thumb, index finger, middle finger, and part of your ring finger.
These symptoms are often worse at night or first thing in the morning. They may also flare up when you hold something like a phone, a book or a steering wheel, especially when your wrist is bent forward and your fingers curl into a fist.
Over time, this can leave your hand feeling weak or clumsy, with reduced sensation and a weaker grip.
Common Symptoms
Symptom information is not available for this condition yet.
⚠️ This symptom list is for educational purposes. Having these symptoms does not mean you have this condition. See a doctor for proper diagnosis.
Medicines Commonly Used
⚠️ These medicines are commonly used for confirmed diagnoses of this condition. This is NOT a recommendation or prescription. Treatment must be determined by your doctor.
No medicines have been linked to this condition yet.
Causes
Carpal tunnel syndrome can sometimes develop without any clear reason. But certain things can make it more likely, including:
- work that involves repeated use of your hand
- diabetes (Type 1 and 2)
- swelling of the tendons
- a fracture at the wrist
- rheumatoid arthritis in the wrist joint
- pregnancy
- menopause
- thyroid problems
Diagnosis
How is carpal tunnel syndrome diagnosed?
In most cases, a doctor can diagnose carpal tunnel syndrome simply by examining your wrist and hand. Because its symptoms can look like those of other conditions, the doctor may also check other parts of your body, especially your neck, to be sure nothing there is causing the problem.
Nerve conduction studies can be done as well, though they are not necessary to confirm the diagnosis.
Blood tests are sometimes ordered too, to check whether another underlying condition might be contributing to your symptoms.
Treatment
How is carpal tunnel syndrome treated?
For any wrist problem, it helps to stay active while keeping your pain at a manageable level. Try to vary what you do through the day so you aren't repeating a lot of squeezing, gripping or wringing motions one after another. Switch between heavier and lighter tasks to ease the strain, and think about whether a job can be done a different way, or whether you could rest more often between such activities. Padded handles can also help if you're cycling, gardening or playing golf. Stay mindful of how you're holding your wrist, and avoid leaving it bent in either direction for long stretches.
Wrist splint
A healthcare professional will often suggest a wrist splint as a first treatment. Its purpose is to hold your wrist straight while you sleep, since a bent wrist at night can squash the median nerve; this doesn't mean you have to stop moving your wrist during the day. You might also need to wear a splint during the day for repetitive tasks, though it isn't meant to be worn all the time. Usually, a few weeks of use is enough to settle the symptoms.
Exercises
Specific wrist exercises that encourage movement, stretching and strengthening can improve how your wrist and hand move and reduce pain. You can read more about exercises for wrist, hand and finger problems.
Managing pain
Pain medication can make it easier to move comfortably, which in turn helps you manage your symptoms. You can read more about taking painkillers.
Corticosteroid injections
If painkillers aren't controlling the pain well enough, your healthcare professional may talk to you about having a corticosteroid injection into your carpal tunnel. Corticosteroids are medicines that reduce pain and inflammation, and they may be given together with a local anaesthetic. These injections won't necessarily cure the condition, but they are used to help ease the pain. You can read more about corticosteroids.
Surgery
If every other treatment has been tried without success, surgery may be an option in some cases. This operation, called a carpal tunnel decompression, reduces pressure on the nerve by opening the roof of the tunnel.
Work
Carpal tunnel syndrome sometimes means you need some time off work to recover, and how long that is depends on your condition and the nature of your job. You don't need to be completely free of symptoms before returning to work; going back as soon as you reasonably can will actually support your recovery. Gradually building back up to your normal daily activities helps rebuild your strength and stamina.
Help and support
If you follow this advice, your symptoms should become easier to manage. Talk to a healthcare professional if you're finding it hard to manage them on your own, and find out how to access MSK services in your area. When you're dealing with any health condition, it's also important to look after your mental wellbeing, since this can affect your recovery. Please don't include personal information such as your name, location or any personal health conditions.