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Symptoms
By Mayo Clinic staffCarpal tunnel syndrome typically starts gradually with a vague aching in your wrist that can extend to your hand or forearm. Other common carpal tunnel syndrome symptoms include:
- Tingling or numbness in your fingers or hand, especially your thumb and index, middle or ring fingers, but not your little finger. This sensation often occurs while holding a steering wheel, phone or newspaper or upon awakening. Many people "shake out" their hands to try to relieve their symptoms. As the disorder progresses, the numb feeling may become constant.
- Pain radiating or extending from your wrist up your arm to your shoulder or down into your palm or fingers, especially after forceful or repetitive use. This usually occurs on the palm side of your forearm.
- A sense of weakness in your hands and a tendency to drop objects.
When to see a doctor
If you have persistent signs and symptoms that might be due to carpal tunnel syndrome that interfere with your normal activities — including sleep — see your doctor. If you leave the condition untreated, nerve and muscle damage can occur.
- Carpal tunnel syndrome fact sheet. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/carpal_tunnel/detail_carpal_tunnel.htm. Accessed Dec. 5, 2008.
- Carpal tunnel syndrome. American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=a00005. Accessed Dec. 5, 2008.
- Carpal tunnel syndrome. American Society for Surgery of the Hand. http://www.assh.org/Content/NavigationMenu/PatientsPublic/HandConditions/CarpalTunnelSyndrome/Carpal_Tunnel_Syndr.htm. Accessed Dec. 5, 2008.
- Sheon RP. Clinical manifestations and diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Nov. 25, 2008.
- Sheon RP. Etiology of carpal tunnel syndrome. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Nov. 25, 2008.
- Scott KR, et al. Treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Nov. 25, 2008.
- Hunter AA, et al. Surgery for carpal tunnel syndrome. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Nov. 25, 2008.
