The main symptoms include:

 

 

 

 

 

Source:
Report of the Quality Standards Subcommittee of the American Academy of Neurology.
Practice parameter for carpal tunnel syndrome (summary statement).
Neurology. 1993; 43: 2406-2409.

 

 

 

 

 

¹

Your symptoms will probably come and go, but you may find they're worse after certain activities, such as painting, knitting, or driving. You might find repetitive movements of your hand and wrist, or holding your arm or hand in one position, brings on your symptoms.

 

 

 

 

 

Source:
Report of the Quality Standards Subcommittee of the American Academy of Neurology.
Practice parameter for carpal tunnel syndrome (summary statement).
Neurology. 1993; 43: 2406-2409.

 

 

 

 

 

¹ You may wake up at night because your hand tingles or your wrist aches. Shaking your hand or changing its position often makes it feel better.

If carpal tunnel syndrome affects both of your hands, your dominant hand (the right one if you are right-handed) is usually affected first and more severely. Some people can't feel whether things are hot or cold. If the nerve damage becomes severe, you may lose the feeling in your hand. You might not be able to use that hand much any more.

Your doctor will need to examine your wrist and hand to find out if you have carpal tunnel syndrome. Tapping or putting pressure on the nerve at your wrist might make your fingers tingle (this is called Tinel's sign).

 

 

 

 

 

Source:
Report of the Quality Standards Subcommittee of the American Academy of Neurology.
Practice parameter for carpal tunnel syndrome (summary statement).
Neurology. 1993; 43: 2406-2409.

 

 

 

 

 

¹ Pressing the backs of your hands together and pointing your fingers down for a minute may cause tingling or numbness in your fingers (Phalen's test).

Your doctor may also recommend some other tests that measure the electrical activity of your nerves and muscles to confirm whether you have carpal tunnel syndrome and, if so, how bad it is.

 

 

 

 

 

Source:
Rempel D, Evanoff B, Amadio PC, et al.
Consensus criteria for the classification of carpal tunnel syndrome in epidemiologic studies.
American Journal of Public Health. 1998; 88: 1447-1451.

 

 

 

 

 

² These tests will show how severe the damage to your median nerve is. Your treatment will depend on whether your condition is mild, moderate, or severe.

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