top of page

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is a condition where a ligament protecting the peripheral nerve going into your hand has become thickened causing compression or entrapment of the nerve.

Peripheral Nerve

Carpal Tunnel syndrome is pressure on the median nerve, the nerve that supplies feeling and movement to parts of the hand.  It can lead to numbness, tingling, weakness, or muscle damage in the hand and fingers. 

The median nerve provides feeling and movement to the 'thumb side' of the hand (the palm, thumb, index finger, middle finger, and the thumb-side of the ring finger). 

The area in your wrist where the nerve enters the hand is called the carpal tunnel. This tunnel is normally narrow, so any swelling can pinch the nerve and cause pain, numbness, tingling, or weakness. This is called Carpal Tunnel syndrome. 

Carpal Tunnel syndrome is common in people who perform repetitive motions of the hand and wrist. Typing on a computer keyboard is probably the most common cause of Carpal Tunnel. The condition occurs most often in people 30 to 60 years old and is more common in women than men.

 

Other causes include:

 

  • Sewing

  • Driving

  • Assembly line work

  • Painting

  • Writing

  • Use of tools (especially hand tools or tools that vibrate)

  • Sports such as racquetball or handball

  • Playing some musical instruments

Symptoms of Carpal Tunnel:
 

  • Numbness or tingling in the thumb and next two or three fingers of one or both hands

 

  • Numbness or tingling of the palm of the hand

 

  • Pain extending to the elbow

 

  • Pain in wrist or hand in one or both hands

 

  • Problems with fine finger movement (coordination) in one or both hands

 

  • Wasting away of the muscle under the thumb (in advanced or long-term cases)

 

  • Weak grip or difficulty carrying bags (a common complaint)

 

  • Weakness in one or both hands

bottom of page