Carpal tunnel syndrome occurs when there is pressure on the median nerve. The carpal tunnel is a narrow passageway surrounded by bones and ligaments on the wrist. The median nerve provides sensory and motor movements to the thumb along with middle and index fingers. If it gets compressed, the patient tends to notice symptoms related to it like tingling, numbness, and weakness in holding objects.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome – Median Nerve Entrapment
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Symptoms of Carpal tunnel syndrome
The symptoms associated with carpal tunnel syndrome show up gradually and include-
Tingling or Numbness- You may feel a ‘pins and needles or electric shock like sensation or numbness in your hands and fingers, especially, thumb, middle and index fingers. It usually occurs while driving, holding a phone or newspaper. Sometimes it is so strong that will wake you up from the sleep.
Weakness- The patients suffering from Carpal tunnel syndrome may feel weakness in their hands and drops objects often. This occurs due to weakness in the thumb muscles which are controlled by the median nerve.
If you have these symptoms, consult a Peripheral nerve surgeon for further evaluation and treatment.
Causes of the Carpal tunnel syndrome
There can be many causes leading to the condition of Carpal tunnel syndrome and some of them are mentioned below-
- Frequent repetitive movements of the fingers such as typing, usage of a keyboard, playing sports, or certain physical activities
- Joint or bone diseases
- Hormonal and metabolic changes such as menopause, pregnancy, or thyroid imbalance
- Injuries of the wrist such as sprain, strain, dislocation, fracture, swelling, or inflammation
Risk factors of the Carpal tunnel syndrome
Anatomic factors
These include wrist fracture, dislocation, or arthritis that leads to bone deformation in the wrist and alters the space within the carpal tunnel leading to pressure on the median nerve.
Sex
Due to the relatively small carpal tunnel area, this condition usually occurs in women
Nerve-damaging conditions
Some chronic diseases like diabetes increase nerve damage which results in damage to the median nerve.
Inflammatory conditions
Rheumatoid arthritis and other conditions affect the wrist jointsg and the surrounding tendons and thus put pressure on the median nerve.
Obesity
Someone who is obese has a higher risk of suffering from Carpal tunnel syndrome.
Body Fluids
Fluid retention will lead to pressure on the Carpal tunnel irritating the median nerve. Most common during pregnancy and menopause.
Other medical conditions
Certain conditions like thyroid imbalance, acromegaly, kidney failure, and lymphedema increase the chances of Carpal tunnel syndrome.
Diagnosis and Treatment of Carpal tunnel syndrome
Initially, the diagnosis is made by electrodiagnostic tests done by stimulating the muscles and nerves in your hand to examine the nerve functionality. Typically, there will be slow conduction of the current in the nerve when it is stimulated above the wrist.
The Carpal tunnel syndrome treatment may include-
- Splinting your hand- This restricts the movement of your wrist and also eases up the compression of the nerves in the carpal tunnel.
- Medications- Medications like carbamazepine and pregabalin will help reducing the pain and tingling sensations in the hands.
- Local steroids: Sometimes, your physician may offer to inject steroids into the wrist to reduce the inflammation.
- Surgery- There are two types of Carpal tunnel syndrome surgery: open surgery and endoscopic surgery. The surgery involves dividing the ligament above the median nerve and completely decompressing the nerve.
During open surgery, the surgeon cut open your wrist, and the tissue pressing the nerves is cut open which relieves the pressure on the nerve.
During endoscopic surgery, the surgeon put a long, thin endoscope through a tiny cut on the wrist. The rod contains a camera and torch which helps the surgeon to examine the wrist. After the surgery, your wrist and hand will be wrapped with a splint which restricts the movement of the wrist and hand to facilitate the recovery.
- Exercise- Stretching and strengthening exercises are helpful for people to recover from the symptoms. All the necessary exercises will be advised by your physiotherapist.
If you are advised to undergo a carpal tunnel release surgery, then get a second opinion from an experienced surgeon for carpal tunnel syndrome to explore all the treatment options.
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Frequently asked questions
Quick answers before your visit — or call us anytime.
What are the early symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome and how can I tell it apart from other hand conditions?
Carpal tunnel syndrome causes numbness, tingling, and pain in the thumb, index, middle, and ring fingersespecially at night or when using the wrist repetitively. It differs from cubital tunnel syndrome, which affects the ring and little fingers. Nerve conduction studies confirm carpal tunnel syndrome versus other causes.
Can carpal tunnel syndrome be treated without surgery using wrist splints or injections?
Yes. Mild to moderate carpal tunnel syndrome can be managed with wrist splinting (especially at night), activity modification, anti-inflammatory medications, and corticosteroid injections. However, if symptoms are severe, constant, or causing thenar muscle wasting (thumb weakness), carpal tunnel release surgery is recommended.
How long is recovery after carpal tunnel release surgery performed by Dr. Arun Rajeswaran in Abu Dhabi?
Carpal tunnel release is a short outpatient procedure performed under local anaesthesia. Most patients can use their hands for light activities within a few days. Full strength and resolution of numbness typically return within 4–12 weeks. In cases with severe pre-operative nerve damage, recovery may take longer.
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