What are the symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome?

Symptoms of CARPAL TUNNEL SYNDROME are: (1) Numbness of the fingers. (2) Numbness or abnormal sensation. (3) Pain in the arms and/or legs. (4) Hands and feet are cold. (5) I use my hands a lot at work - holding babies, writing, typing. (6) Tingling or prickling sensation of the skin. (7) Numbness differs between the left and right sides. (8) Having difficulty writing out words

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Learn more about Carpal tunnel syndrome

Content updated on Sep 20, 2022

What is carpal tunnel syndrome?

The carpal tunnel is an area in the wrist through which nerves travel. When the tunnel is compressed, symptoms of numbness or pain in the fingers may occur. Common triggers include long periods of typing on keyboards, pregnancy and diseases like rheumatoid arthritis.

Symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome

Numbness of the fingers
Numbness or abnormal sensation
Pain in the arms and/or legs
Hands and feet are cold
I use my hands a lot at work - holding babies, writing, typing
Tingling or prickling sensation of the skin
Numbness differs between the left and right sides
Having difficulty writing out words

Questions your doctor may ask to check for carpal tunnel syndrome

Your doctor may ask these questions to diagnose carpal tunnel syndrome

Do you have numbness from your wrist down?
Do you feel any numbness or change in sensation?
Do you have pain in your arms and/or legs?
Do you have cold hands and feet?
Do you use your hands a lot, such as writing, typing or holding a small child daily?

Treatment for carpal tunnel syndrome

Mild cases will improve with painkillers and rest with a splint. Sometimes, a steroid injection to the carpal tunnel may be helpful. Severe cases may require minor surgery. Treatment continues with physical therapy to improve muscle strength and relieve symptoms.

View the symptoms of Carpal tunnel syndrome

Diseases related to Carpal tunnel syndrome

References

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https://www.thelancet.com/journals/laneur/article/PIIS1474-4422(16)30231-9/fulltext
Wang L. Guiding Treatment for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. Phys Med Rehabil Clin N Am. 2018 Nov;29(4):751-760. doi: 10.1016/j.pmr.2018.06.009. Epub 2018 Sep 17. PMID: 30293628.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1047965118307964?via%3Dihub
Kim PT, Lee HJ, Kim TG, Jeon IH. Current approaches for carpal tunnel syndrome. Clin Orthop Surg. 2014 Sep;6(3):253-7. doi: 10.4055/cios.2014.6.3.253. Epub 2014 Aug 5. PMID: 25177448; PMCID: PMC4143510.
https://ecios.org/DOIx.php?id=10.4055/cios.2014.6.3.253
Middleton SD, Anakwe RE. Carpal tunnel syndrome. BMJ. 2014 Nov 6;349:g6437. doi: 10.1136/bmj.g6437. PMID: 25378457.
https://www.bmj.com/content/349/bmj.g6437
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. Am Fam Physician. 2016 Dec 15;94(12):Online. PMID: 28075099.
https://www.aafp.org/pubs/afp/issues/2016/1215/p993-s1.html