Symptoms & Signs
- 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 movements (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
Diagnosis & Tests
During a physical examination, the doctor may find:
- Numbness in the palm, thumb, index finger, middle finger, and thumb side of the ring finger
- Weak hand grip
- Tapping over the median nerve at the wrist may cause pain to shoot from the wrist to the hand (this is called Tinel’s sign)
- Bending the wrist forward all the way for 60 seconds will usually result in numbness, tingling, or weakness (this is called Phalen’s test)
Tests may include:
- Electromyography
- Nerve conduction velocity
- Wrist x-rays should be done to rule out other problems (such as wrist arthritis)
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Carpal tunnel syndrome : Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors
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Carpal tunnel syndrome : Symptoms & Signs, Diagnosis & Tests
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Carpal tunnel syndrome : Treatment
Review Date : 10/10/2009
Reviewed By : C. Benjamin Ma, MD, Assistant Professor, Chief, Sports Medicine and Shoulder Service, UCSF Dept. of Orthopaedic Surgery. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
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