Learn About Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Carpal tunnel syndrome is a condition in which there is excessive pressure on the median nerve at the wrist. This is the nerve that allows feeling and movement to parts of the hand. Carpal tunnel syndrome can lead to pain, numbness, tingling, weakness, or muscle damage in the hand and fingers.
Median nerve dysfunction; Median nerve entrapment; Median neuropathy
The median nerve typically provides feeling and movement to the thumb side of the hand. This includes feeling in the palm, thumb, index finger, middle finger, and thumb side of the ring finger.
The area in your wrist where the nerve enters the hand is called the carpal tunnel. This tunnel is normally narrow. A thick ligament (tissue) just under your skin (the carpal ligament) makes up the top of this tunnel. Any swelling can pinch the nerve and cause pain, numbness, tingling, or weakness. This is called carpal tunnel syndrome.
Some people who develop carpal tunnel syndrome were born with a small carpal tunnel.
Carpal tunnel syndrome can also be caused by making the same hand and wrist motion over and over. Using hand tools that vibrate, such as drills or hammers, may also lead to carpal tunnel syndrome.
Studies have not proved that carpal tunnel is caused by typing on a computer, using a mouse, or repeating movements while working, playing a musical instrument, or playing sports. But, these activities may cause tendinitis or bursitis in the hand, which can narrow the carpal tunnel and lead to symptoms.
Carpal tunnel syndrome occurs most often in people ages 30 to 60. It is more common in women than men.
Other factors that may lead to carpal tunnel syndrome include:
- Alcohol use
- Bone fractures and arthritis of the wrist
- Cyst or tumor that grows in the wrist
- Infections
- Obesity
- Extra fluids retained during pregnancy or menopause
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Diseases that have abnormal deposits of protein in the body (amyloidosis)
Symptoms may include any of the following:
- Clumsiness of the hand when gripping objects
- Numbness or tingling or tingling in the thumb and the next two or three fingers of one or both hands
- Numbness or tingling of the palm of the hand
- Pain that extends to the elbow
- Pain in the wrist or hand in one or both hands
- Problems with fine finger movements (coordination) in one or both hands
- Wasting away of the muscle under the thumb (in advanced or long-term cases)
- Weak grip or difficulty carrying bags (a common complaint)
- Weakness in one or both hands
Your provider may suggest that you:
- Wear a wrist splint at night for several weeks. If this does not help, you may need to wear the splint during the day as well.
- Avoid sleeping on your wrists.
- Place warm and cold compresses on the affected area.
Changes you can make in your workplace to reduce the stress on your wrist include:
- Using special devices, such as keyboards, different types of computer mouse, cushioned mouse pads, and keyboard drawers.
- Having someone review the position you are in when performing your work activities. For example, make sure the keyboard is low enough so that your wrists are not bent upward while typing. Your provider may suggest an occupational therapist to help with this assessment.
- Making changes in your work duties or home and sports activities. Some of the jobs linked with carpal tunnel syndrome include those that involve vibrating tools.
MEDICINES
Medicines used to treat carpal tunnel syndrome include nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen or naproxen. Corticosteroid injections can be given into the carpal tunnel area to relieve symptoms. These treatments usually give only temporary relief.
SURGERY
Carpal tunnel release is a surgical procedure that cuts into the ligament that is pressing on the nerve. Surgery is successful most of the time, but depends on how long you've had the nerve compression and its severity.
Martin South Patricia Lichtenberger Medical Plaza
Peter Evans is a Hand Surgeon in Stuart, Florida. Dr. Evans is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. His top areas of expertise are Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, Rhizarthrosis, Osteoarthritis, Osteotomy, and Tenotomy.
Aligned Orthopedic Partners
Edward Bieber is an Orthopedics specialist and a Sports Medicine provider in Bethesda, Maryland. Dr. Bieber is rated as a Distinguished provider by MediFind in the treatment of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. His top areas of expertise are Synovitis, Tendinitis, Tenosynovitis, and Trigger Thumb.
Proliance Surgeons
Alan B. Thomas, MD, is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon who specializes in upper extremity surgery. He has been practicing medicine since 2000, and he has a special interest in arthroscopy of the wrist, elbow and shoulder. He received a CAQ subspecialty certificate in orthopedic surgery of the hand from the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery.He enjoys the challenges of restoring people to health through his practice. His doctorate work in biochemistry opened up new approaches for treating complex problems and made him a more detailed clinician.Dr. Thomas is a former vice president of St. Clare Hospital and has served on the operating and surgical committees for St Clare Hospital and the medical executive committee for Franciscan Health at St. Josephs Medical Center. He is a chairman for an outreach committee at his church and a member of the board of directors for The Health Project – Cambodia, which delivers medical supplies and equipment to underserved people in Southeast Asia and he travels to Cambodia each year to provide surgical care to those in need.Outside of his medical practice and volunteer work, he tries to keep up with his three children who are avid skiers, wakeboarders, and surfers. Dr. Thomas is rated as a Distinguished provider by MediFind in the treatment of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. His top areas of expertise are Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, Ganglion Cyst, Trigger Thumb, and Rhizarthrosis.
Symptoms often improve without surgery. But more than one half of cases eventually need surgery. Even if surgery is successful, full healing can take months.
If the condition is treated properly, there are usually no complications. If untreated, the nerve can be damaged, causing permanent weakness, numbness, and tingling.
Contact your provider for an appointment if:
- You have symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome.
- Your symptoms do not respond to regular treatment, such as rest and anti-inflammatory medicines, or if there seems to be a loss of muscle bulk around your fingers.
- Your fingers lose more and more feeling.
- You are dropping things and becoming more clumsy with your hand.
Use tools and equipment that are properly designed to reduce the risk for wrist injury.
Ergonomic aids, such as split keyboards, keyboard trays, typing pads, and wrist braces, may be used to improve wrist posture during typing. Take frequent breaks when typing and always stop if you feel tingling or pain.
Summary: The subject of the study is to use current treatment methods in patients with nerve compression in the wrist and compare their effects. The purpose of the study is to determine the most appropriate method by comparing the benefits of cortisone and serum injection in addition to exercise therapy in volunteers like you who have nerve compression in the wrist and have pain and numbness.
Summary: The aim of this study is to compare ultrasound-guided perineural injection of the median nerve with classic minimal incision surgical technique for median nerve decompression in patients diagnosed with mild, moderate, and severe carpal tunnel syndrome.
Published Date: June 04, 2025
Published By: C. Benjamin Ma, MD, Professor, Chief, Sports Medicine and Shoulder Service, UCSF Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, San Francisco, CA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
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Weller WJ, Calandruccio JH, Jobe MT. Compressive neuropathies of the hand, forearm, and elbow. In: Azar FM, Beaty JH, eds. Campbell's Operative Orthopaedics. 14th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 77.
Zhao M, Burke DT. Median neuropathy (carpal tunnel syndrome). In: Frontera WR, Silver JK, Rizzo TD Jr, eds. Essentials of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation: Musculoskeletal Disorders, Pain, and Rehabilitation. 4th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2019:chap 36.