CARPAL TUNNEL SYNDROME

Carpal tunnel syndrome causes pain, numbness and weakness in the fingers.  Numbness and tingling typically affect the thumb, index and middle finger as well as part of the ring finger.  Weakness usually affects the muscles of the thumb.  These symptoms are caused by compression of the median nerve at the level of the wrist.

The diagnosis is based on physical exam fisndings, and possibly a nerve conduction study.

For mild cases, splinting of the wrist may alleviate conditions.  For more severe cases, surgery may be necessary to relieve the pressure on the nerve.  Surgery is an outpatient procedure usually performed with sedation and local anesthesia.

The images below are from the American Society for Surgery of the Hand.  Click here to go to their Carpal Tunnel Syndrome page.