Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Carpal tunnel syndrome is a condition that causes numbness, tingling and other symptoms in the hand and arm due to a compressed nerve in the carpal tunnel, a narrow passageway on the palm side of your wrist.
Causes
It's often the result of repetitive hand motions, certain health conditions like diabetes or rheumatoid arthritis, or anatomic factors such as a smaller carpal tunnel.
Symptoms
Symptoms typically include numbness, tingling, and pain in the thumb, index, middle, and ring fingers. In advanced cases, there may be weakness in the hand and difficulty gripping objects.
Treatment
Treatment options range from wrist splinting and lifestyle changes to corticosteroid injections. In severe cases, a surgical procedure called carpal tunnel release may be necessary to relieve pressure on the median nerve.