Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is a disorder that can cause numbing and disabling pain in your hands and wrists. Carpal tunnel can make your hand and fingers “fall asleep” at night. You may need to shake your hands to free yourself of the numbing, tingling feeling. CTS arises when a nerve that runs through a narrow channel of ligaments and wrist bones is squeezed by fluid or inflamed tissue in the carpal tunnel.
This painful condition often results from repeated use of the wrists at grasping work and in sports, particularly when using a computer keyboard for extended periods of time. CTS is also common in women when pregnancy or menopause cause fluid buildup in the tissues. Diseases such as arthritis, diabetes and hypothyroidism may be a factor in the disorder.
Signs and Symptoms of CTS
Numbness and tingling in the thumb and first three fingers; fifth finger and outside of fourth are not affected. Shooting pains through the hand, wrist and sometimes forearm. Pain that may be worse at night, interfering with sleep. Weakness in the hands and fingers (in severe cases). CTS can be treated effectively if it is caught early. Left untreated, it can cause permanent nerve damage.
What You Can Do
- Rest the hand and wrist when possible.
- If you have trouble sleeping, wear a wrist splint at night to reduce pressure on the nerve; splints are available at many drugstores.
- At work, wear a splint if it relieves your pain.
- Take anti-inflammatory medication, such as ibuprofen or aspirin, to reduce pain and swelling.
- To ease discomfort, apply a cold pack at 10-minute intervals for one hour; a bag of ice wrapped in a washcloth works well, too.
To Prevent CTS
Change your hand position often when working, and take breaks. Also make sure your hands are in line with your forearms as you work.
Treatment
If pain and other symptoms persist or get worse despite a month of self-care, call your doctor for advice or make an appointment. If symptoms are present for more than 90 days in spite of treatment, surgical release is very useful.
What We Do
- Testing. It takes about 5 minutes to check the function of the nerves that cause carpal tunnel symptoms. Other nerves can be checked too.
- Carpal tunnel surgery. Most patients respond right away to release of the tight space around the affected nerve. Usually done by endoscopic mini surgery, the procedure takes only a few minutes. Symptoms are often gone immediately, by 2 weeks, you can perform simple tasks. Stronger activities take a little longer.
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Page Updated: 4/2001
