Symptoms of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Carpal tunnel syndrome causes symptoms in one or both hands that, more rarely, may also extend up the arm. Symptoms are caused by compression of the median nerve in the carpal tunnel. This nerve supplies feeling to the thumb, index, middle, and half the ring finger. It also innervates the muscles that move the thumb toward the little finger and move the index finger around in a circle.

Symptoms include:

Tingling, burning, or numbness, especially in your thumb and index or middle fingers
Pain or numbness that worsens with:
- Wrist, hand, or finger movement
- Sleep (symptoms may wake you)
Hand stiffness or cramping that gets better after:
- Shaking the hand
- Waking up in the morning
Weakness or clumsiness of your hand
- Loss of grip strength
- Difficulty touching your little finger with your thumb
- Frequently dropping things
Pain extending up your arm

References

American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons website. Available at: http://www.aaos.org.

Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research website. Available at: http://www.mayo.edu.

Revision Information

Reviewer: John C. Keel, MD
Review Date: 09/2012
Update Date: 00/92/2012

This content is reviewed regularly and is updated when new and relevant evidence is made available. This information is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with questions regarding a medical condition.