HealthInfo Waitaha Canterbury
Overview of carpal tunnel syndrome
The carpal tunnel is a narrow passage in your wrist, through which your median nerve and the tendons to your thumb and fingers pass. If you have carpal tunnel syndrome, it means there is pressure on your median nerve. This causes symptoms like numbness or tingling in your thumb and fingers (but not normally your little finger), or the palm of your hand.
You may have pain in your wrist, which can shoot into your fingers, or sometimes up to your elbow. Your muscles might be weak, especially if you have to grip something. Your symptoms may be particularly bad at night, or when doing the same task for a long time, like long-distance driving.
Carpal tunnel syndrome is quite common and affects women more than men. It can happen in one or both wrists.
Causes of carpal tunnel syndrome
Anything that causes swelling in the carpal tunnel can cause carpal tunnel syndrome. We do not always know why this swelling happens. But there are some conditions that are linked to carpal tunnel syndrome. They include:
- pregnancy
- being overweight
- fluid retention
- diabetes and hypothyroidism
- rheumatoid arthritis and connective tissue diseases
- wrist wounds or broken bones.
Carpal tunnel syndrome can sometimes happen after forceful or repetitive movements of your wrist or hand. Sometimes, when it has been caused by the tasks you do at work, ACC may cover carpal tunnel syndrome.
Diagnosing carpal tunnel syndrome
Specialists sometimes test how your median nerve is working by using nerve conduction studies. They measure how well and how quickly your nerves conduct electrical signals. This can help if it's not obvious that you have carpal tunnel syndrome.
HealthInfo recommends the following pages
- ACC – Knowing about your carpal tunnel syndrome
A two-page PDF with information about carpal tunnel syndrome and tips for managing it.
- Patient.info – Carpal tunnel syndrome
AUK site with more detailed information about carpal tunnel syndrome.
On the next page: Treating carpal tunnel syndrome
Written by HealthInfo clinical advisers. Endorsed by clinical directors, Plastic Surgery and Orthopaedic Surgery, Canterbury DHB. Last reviewed April 2021.
SourcesReview key: HICTS-12821
