Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
What Causes Numbness and Tingling in the Hand?
Numbness and tingling in the thumb, index, middle, and part of the ring finger — especially at night or while driving — is often carpal tunnel syndrome, caused by pressure on the median nerve as it passes through a narrow tunnel in the wrist. It's one of the most common nerve compression conditions of the hand and is very treatable.
Causes & Symptoms
Repetitive hand use, wrist positioning, pregnancy, diabetes, and thyroid conditions can all narrow the carpal tunnel or increase pressure on the nerve. Symptoms include numbness/tingling in the thumb through ring finger, nighttime symptoms that wake patients up, and in advanced cases, weakness or thumb muscle wasting.
Diagnosis & Treatment
Diagnosis is often clinical, sometimes confirmed with a nerve conduction study. Nonsurgical treatment includes wrist splinting (especially at night) and corticosteroid injections. When symptoms persist or nerve function declines, carpal tunnel release — dividing the ligament pressing on the nerve — relieves pressure, and can often be performed under local (WALANT) anesthesia in the office.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Does carpal tunnel syndrome go away on its own?
Mild cases sometimes improve with splinting and activity changes, but persistent or worsening symptoms usually need more direct treatment to prevent permanent nerve damage.
How long is recovery from carpal tunnel release?
Most patients see significant symptom relief within days to weeks, with full recovery of hand strength typically over a few month
Does typing cause carpal tunnel syndrome?
Despite what most people think, there is no evidence that carpal tunnel syndrome is caused by computer use. Long term use of tools that vibrate can cause it, but most of the time it is not caused by one’s occupation.
Is carpal tunnel surgery a big deal?
It is a minor procedure performed under local anesthesia that generally takes less 10 minutes to perform. You can drive yourself to and from the procedure and use your hand right away for light activities. Most people with desk jobs only have to take at most a day or two off of work.
Does carpal tunnel surgery work?
Surgery is 90-95% effective. Around 5% of people with a successful surgery will later develop symptoms again in the future. If the symptoms are severe and present for many years, sometimes patients do no get complete relief as there may already be permanent damage to the nerve.