Carpal tunnel syndrome is a common condition where the median nerve in the wrist becomes compressed, causing tingling, burning, and numbness in the hand and fingers. Symptoms are caused by pressure on the median nerve and often occur at night or when gripping objects. A doctor can diagnose carpal tunnel syndrome through physical exams, tests of nerve function, and sometimes blood tests or imaging scans. Treatment options include rest, splints, anti-inflammatory medication, steroid injections, and surgery to release pressure on the median nerve if more conservative treatments do not provide relief.

1. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
What is carpal tunnel syndrome?
Carpal tunnel syndrome is the most common form of compressive neuropathy (direct pressure on the
nerve), occurring in approximately 6 to 8 percent of the population. Carpal tunnel syndrome occurs
when the median nerve, which runs from the forearm into the palm of the hand, becomes pressed or
squeezed at the wrist.
Symptoms of carpal tunnel
Carpal tunnel syndrome can cause frequent burning, tingling, or itching numbness in the palm of the
hand and fingers. Some people may have pain in their arm between their hand and their elbow.
Symptoms most often occur in the thumb, index finger, middle finger, and half of the ring finger. If you
have problems with your other fingers but your little finger is fine, this may be a sign that you have
carpal tunnel syndrome.
Carpal Tunnel Diagnosed
The physician will help to diagnosed your carpal tunnel through some physical exam and ask some
question about your health and activities. You also may have some test.
During the exam, your doctor will check the feeling, strength, and appearance of your neck, shoulders,
arms, wrists, and hands.
Your doctor may suggest tests, such as:
 Blood tests to see if any health problems might be causing your symptoms.
 Nerve testing to find out if the median nerve is working as it should.

2. Treatment
Treatments for carpal tunnel syndrome should begin immediately. There are two type of carpal tunnel
treatments are available surgical or nonsurgical.
Non surgical treatments for carpal tunnel
1. Resting the affected hand.
2. Taking anti‐inflammatory medications to manage the pain.
3. Avoid doing the activities that worsen the symptoms.
4. Getting steroid injections to provide temporary symptom relief.
5. Applying cool packs to reduce swelling.
Carpal tunnel release is one of the most common surgical procedures in the United States to date. It is
typically performed under local anesthesia and does not require an overnight stay. AOK Emergency
room Houston provides two forms of carpal tunnel surgery, open and endoscopic. Endoscopic carpal
tunnel surgery is definitely the less invasive of the two only requiring two ½ inch incisions to the open
carpal tunnels 2 inch incision. This allows for minimal scarring and tenderness, if any, less post‐operative
pain, and a quicker recovery.