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Carpal tunnel syndrome
A condition where pressure on a nerve in the wrist impacts control of movement in both the wrist and hand, often accompanied by a tingling sensation, numbness and pain.
What is carpal tunnel syndrome?
Carpal tunnel syndrome is a condition where there is increased pressure on the nerve that crosses the front of your wrist. This is called the median nerve. The nerve runs through a tight tunnel, together with the tendons that bend your fingers.
Need to know
Symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome may include:
- numbness in the hand and fingers
- pins and needles
- thumb weakness
- clumsiness with fiddly things
- a dull ache in the hand or arm
These sensations develop gradually and tend to be worse at night.
Your consultant will assess your ability to use your hand, wrist or arm, and look for signs of weakness in the muscles surrounding your thumb. Holding your wrist elevated or flexing it completely are commonly performed simple tests for carpal tunnel syndrome.
These tests tend to induce the pain, numbness or tingling in your hand associated with the condition. A blood test may also be carried out if your consultant suspects a condition related to carpal tunnel syndrome, such as diabetes, thyroid problems or arthritis.
These tests tend to induce the pain, numbness or tingling in your hand associated with the condition. A blood test may also be carried out if your consultant suspects a condition related to carpal tunnel syndrome, such as diabetes, thyroid problems or arthritis.
In some cases, carpal tunnel syndrome disappears without treatment, or the symptoms reduce by introducing simple prevention measures.
If the problem persists, your treatment may be non-surgical, such as using a wrist splint or steroid (corticosteroid) injections. Alternatively, your consultant may recommend minor surgery on the tight ligament (called the flexor retinaculum) that forms the roof of the carpal tunnel. This stops the nerve from being compressed.
If the problem persists, your treatment may be non-surgical, such as using a wrist splint or steroid (corticosteroid) injections. Alternatively, your consultant may recommend minor surgery on the tight ligament (called the flexor retinaculum) that forms the roof of the carpal tunnel. This stops the nerve from being compressed.
Patient stories
Yvette's story: From back pain to hip replacement surgery
Yvette (54) a journalist from Kent, started experiencing pain in her hip seven years ago in 2015. An ex-national gymnast who had been incredibly active and flexible her whole life, Yvette felt concerned about the growing discomfort impacting her quality of life, and so sought help from her GP.
A new hip and straight back into the spin of things
David’s gym video shows him repeatedly pushing up to 100kg on a single leg press – not particularly unusual for this keen cyclist, former competitive squash player and all-round fitness enthusiast. What is unusual is that 52-year-old David had hip surgery just 12 weeks earlier.
Michael's MAKO hip surgery to treat his arthritis
73 year-old Michael, an avid walker and charity worker, was diagnosed with arthritis in January 2021. After facing long waiting times and increasing pain that was becoming more frequent, he started to look elsewhere for treatment.
This content is intended for general information only and does not replace the need for personal advice from a qualified health professional.