Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Symptoms

Carpal tunnel syndrome typically starts gradually, with a vague aching in the wrist that can extend to the hand or forearm. Other early symptoms of CTS are tingling and numbness of the hand, much like the feeling of a limb "falling asleep." If symptoms persist and worsen, tingling becomes increasingly difficult to stop.

Other common signs and symptoms include:

• Tingling or numbness in the fingers or hand — especially the thumb, index, middle or ring fingers, but not the little finger — that often occurs while sleeping, driving a vehicle or holding a phone or a newspaper.
• Pain extending from the wrist up the arm to the shoulder or down into the palm or fingers, especially after forceful or repetitive use. This usually occurs on the front (palm) side of the forearm.
• A sense of weakness in the hands, and a tendency to drop objects. A person may have trouble performing simple tasks such as tying shoes or picking up small objects.
• A constant loss of feeling in some fingers. This can occur if the condition is advanced. Some patients with CTS are unable to differentiate hot from cold by touch, and experience an apparent loss of strength in their fingers.