Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is a condition caused by compression of the median nerve in the wrist. It is a common condition that can cause pain, numbness, and tingling in the hand and fingers. The five main symptoms of CTS are pain, numbness, tingling, weakness, and swelling.
Pain
Pain is one of the most common symptoms of CTS. It can range from mild to severe and may be felt in the wrist, hand, or fingers. The pain may be worse at night or when using your hands for activities such as typing or writing. It may also be accompanied by a burning sensation or aching feeling in the affected area.
Numbness and Tingling
Numbness and tingling are other common symptoms of CTS. This can occur in any part of the hand or fingers but is usually felt in the thumb, index finger, middle finger, and half of the ring finger. The sensation may be described as pins-and-needles or an electric shock-like feeling.
Weakness
Weakness is another symptom associated with CTS. This can manifest as difficulty gripping objects or performing tasks that require fine motor control such as buttoning clothes or tying shoelaces. Weakness can also cause difficulty with everyday activities such as opening jars or turning door knobs.
Swelling
The fourth symptom associated with CTS is swelling in the affected area. This swelling can cause discomfort and make it difficult to move your wrist freely without pain or stiffness. Swelling may also lead to decreased range of motion in your wrist and fingers which can further limit your ability to perform everyday tasks with ease.
Diagnosis
If you suspect you have carpal tunnel syndrome it’s important to seek medical attention from a qualified healthcare professional who specializes in treating this condition. They will be able to diagnose CTS based on your symptoms and physical examination results such as nerve conduction tests which measure electrical activity along nerves in your arm and hand to determine if there is any nerve damage due to compression from carpal tunnel syndrome. Treatment options for CTS include rest, splints, medications, physical therapy exercises, steroid injections into the carpal tunnel area, and surgery if necessary to relieve pressure on the median nerve caused by carpal tunnel syndrome