Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Summary You’re working at your desk, trying to ignore the tingling or numbness you’ve had for some time in your hand and wrist. Suddenly, a sharp, piercing pain shoots through the wrist and up your arm. Just a passing cramp? It could be carpal tunnel syndrome. The carpal tunnel is a narrow passageway of ligament and bones at the base of your hand. It contains nerve and tendons. Sometimes, thickening from irritated tendons or other swelling narrows the tunnel and causes the nerve to be compressed. Symptoms usually start gradually. As they worsen, grasping objects can become difficult. Often, the cause is having a smaller carpal tunnel than other people do. Other causes include performing assembly line work, wrist injury, or swelling due to certain diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis. Women are three times more likely to have carpal tunnel syndrome than men. Early diagnosis and treatment are important to prevent permanent nerve damage. Your doctor diagnoses carpal tunnel syndrome with a physical exam and special nerve tests. Treatment includes resting your hand, splints, pain and anti-inflammatory medicines, and sometimes surgery. NIH: National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke Find an Expert American Society for Surgery of the Hand American Society for Surgery of the Hand Find a Hand Surgeon American Society for Surgery of the Hand National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke Array Carpal tunnel biopsy Carpal tunnel release Carpal tunnel repair – slideshow Carpal tunnel syndrome Treatments and Therapies Carpal Tunnel Exercises: Can They Relieve Symptoms? Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research Hand Surgery: Anesthesia American Society for Surgery of the Hand Joint and Soft Tissue Injections American Academy of Family Physicians Wrist Arthroscopy American Society for Surgery of the Hand Videos and Tutorials Carpal Tunnel Surgery OR-Live Minimally Invasive Endoscopic Carpal Tunnel Release OR-Live Start Here Carpal Tunnel Syndrome American Academy of Family Physicians Carpal Tunnel Syndrome National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke Carpal Tunnel Syndrome American College of Rheumatology Carpal Tunnel Syndrome National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke Women Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Department of Health and Human Services, Office on Women’s Health Clinical Trials ClinicalTrials.gov: Carpal Tunnel Syndrome National Institutes of Health Prevention and Risk Factors Computer Workstations: Keyboards Occupational Safety and Health Administration Computer Workstations: Wrist/Palm Supports Occupational Safety and Health Administration Diagnosis and Tests Electromyography (EMG) Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research MedlinePlus: X-Rays National Library of Medicine Numbness and Tingling in the Arm and Hand American Society for Surgery of the Hand Wrist Pain Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research Genetics Genetics Home Reference: hereditary neuropathy with liability to pressure palsies National Library of Medicine Living With Hand Therapy Array Journal Articles Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
