Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

What Is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?
Carpal tunnel syndrome is a nerve condition that affects the hand and wrist. It happens when the median nerve, which runs from the forearm into the hand, gets compressed as it passes through a narrow tunnel in the wrist called the carpal tunnel.
This nerve controls movement and feeling in your thumb, index, middle and ring fingers. When the surrounding tissue swells, the tunnel narrows and the nerve gets squeezed. Common symptoms of nerve compression include pain, tingling and numbness or weakness in the hand.

Despite being common, many people don’t realize they have carpal tunnel syndrome until symptoms start interfering with daily tasks like gripping a steering wheel, typing on the computer or even brushing their teeth. Carpal tunnel syndrome can progress to permanent dysfunction, so for this reason it is important to diagnose and treat properly.

What Leads to Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?
Most cases of carpal tunnel syndrome are caused by a combination of factors. The most common cause of carpal tunnel syndrome is repetitive hand or wrist use, especially when the wrist is bent for long periods. But other conditions and risk factors can also increase pressure on the median nerve.

Common causes and risk factors include:

• Repetitive motion (typing, assembly line work, frequent texting)
• Prolonged wrist flexion or poor hand posture
• Health conditions like diabetes, arthritis or thyroid disorders
• Pregnancy with increased swelling overall due to hormonal changes
• A past wrist fracture or injury
• Family history or anatomy differences causing naturally smaller carpal tunnels
  
  

Women are also more likely than men to develop carpal tunnel, especially between the ages of 40 and 60.

What Does Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Feel Like?
​Carpal tunnel syndrome usually starts with mild symptoms and gets worse over time if left untreated.

Common symptoms include:

• Numbness or tingling in the thumb, index, middle or ring fingers
• Hand weakness or trouble gripping objects
• Pain that can wake you up at night
• A tingling or buzzing sensation like your fingers are "asleep" or swollen, even when they aren’t
• Symptoms that worsen with activities like driving, using a phone or typing

You may feel temporary relief by shaking out your hands or changing positions, but over time, the symptoms may become more frequent and severe.

How Is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Identified?
Your orthopedic provider can often diagnose carpal tunnel syndrome based on your symptoms and a physical exam.

During the visit, they may:

• Tap on the inside of your wrist to trigger tingling – also known as Tinel’s sign
• Ask you to bend your wrist for a short period to reproduce symptoms – also known as Phalen’s test
• Assess your grip strength and finger sensation
• Look for muscle wasting or atrophy in the muscles of your hand
  
  

In some cases, additional tests like nerve conduction studies or electromyography (EMG) may be used to confirm the diagnosis and rule out other nerve problems.

Non-Surgical Treatments for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Many people find relief with non-surgical treatments, especially when carpal tunnel syndrome is diagnosed early.

Common non-surgical treatments include:

• Wrist splints: Wearing a brace at night to keep the wrist in a neutral position
• Rest or activity changes: Avoiding repetitive tasks that can aggravate symptoms
• Ice therapy: Reducing inflammation with cold packs
• Anti-inflammatory medications: Over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen
• Physical therapy: Specific nerve gliding exercises to improve wrist flexibility and nerve mobility
• Steroid injections: To reduce swelling and pressure in the carpal tunnel

How to Avoid Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
You may not be able to prevent carpal tunnel syndrome entirely, but some habits can help reduce your risk.

Prevention tips:

• Take frequent breaks during repetitive tasks
• Keep wrists in a neutral position when typing or working
• Stretch hands and forearms regularly throughout the day
• Use ergonomic tools and workstations
• Avoid prolonged pressure on the base of the palm (e.g., resting wrists on hard surfaces)

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If you're experiencing symptoms or want to learn more about your treatment options, don’t wait to get treatment.

If you’re wondering where the best place is to get care, please see our guide below:

If your problem is life- or limb-threatening, call 911 or go to the emergency room.

Primary Care – Schedule through MyChart or call your provider’s office who you go to for most health care needs.

Orthopedic Specialists - Schedule through MyChart or call 757-534-9988.
(804-693-0529 for Gloucester, 757-302-2700 for the Eastern Shore)

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If you’re not sure, call Riverside Nurse 24/7 at 1-800-675-6368