Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Symptoms 

The Carpal Tunnel is an opening into  the hand that is made up  of the bones of the wrist on the bottom and the Transverse Carpal Ligament on the top. Through this opening, the Median Nerve and the Flexor Tendons run into the hand. The median nerve runs into the  hand to supply sensation to the thumb, index finger, long finger,  and half of  the ring finger. The nerve also supplies a branch to  the muscles of the thumb, the thenar muscles. 

Be sure if you have it,  and be sure you receive all of your treatment options. 

Symptoms  

• Numbness and tingling sensation in one or both hands. 
• Frequently accompanied by sharp pains radiating through  the arm or shoulder. 
• Muscle weakness of  index and middle fingers and thumb. 
• Discomfort / aching  in one or both hands. 
• Lack of feeling in hand may cause person to drop objects. 
• Activities requiring fine hand motor skills may prove difficult if not impossible. 

A correct diagnosis is essential before correct treatment can be recommended. It is important to be examined by a knowledgeable physician, preferably an orthopedic surgeon or a neurologist; to make sure you do have carpal tunnel syndrome and not one of  the many other conditions that can have symptoms that are similar to those of  carpal tunnel syndrome but are treated differently. 

A pinched nerve in your neck, shoulder or forearm can cause numbness and tingling in the hand similar to carpal tunnel syndrome. So can diabetic neuropathy. Arthritis at the base of the thumb or in the hand can also cause similar symptoms. And so on. 

Therefore the first step to correct treatment is an exam by an experienced physician to determine the correct diagnosis. 

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is a common problem that affects the hand and wrist. This condition, or syndrome, has become the focus of much attention in the last few years due to suggestions that it  may be linked to occupations that require repetitive use of the hands - such as typing. 

The Carpal Tunnel is an opening into the hand that is made  up of the bones of the wrist on the bottom and the Transverse Carpal Ligament on the top. Through this opening, the Median Nerve and the Flexor Tendons run into the hand. The median nerve runs into the hand  to supply sensation to  the thumb, index finger, long finger, and half of the ring finger. The nerve also supplies a branch to the muscles of the thumb, the thenar muscles. The Flexor Tendons allow us to move the hand, such as when we grasp objects. The Tendons are covered by a material called Tenosynovium. The Tenosynovium is very slippery, and allows the tendons to glide against each other as the  hand is used to grasp objects. Any condition which causes irritation  or inflammation of the tendons can result in swelling and thickening of the Tenosynovium.  As all of  the tendons begin to swell and thicken, the pressure begins to increase in the Carpal Tunnel because the bones and ligaments that  make up the tunnel are not able  to stretch in response to the swelling. Increased pressure in the Carpal Tunnel begins to squeeze the Median Nerve against the Transverse Carpal Ligament. Eventually, the pressure reaches  a point when  the nerve can no longer function normally. Pain and numbness in  the hand begins. 

One  of the first symptoms of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is numbness in the distribution of the median Nerve. This is quickly followed by pain in the same distribution. The pain  may also radiate up the arm  to the shoulder, and, sometimes the neck. If the condition is allowed to progress, weakness of the thenar muscles can occur. This results in an inability to bring the thumb into opposition with the other fingers  and hinders one's grasp. 

The Key Concept to remember is that anything which causes abnormal pressure on the Median Nerve will result in the symptoms of pain, numbness and weakness of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. Recently, physicians have begun to recognize that activities that involve highly repetitive use of the hands can result in Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. This is thought to be caused  by inflammation of the tenosynovium due to overuse. 

Notes: DrJMinor

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EditText of this page (last edited January 8, 2010)