Carpal tunnel syndrome is one of the most common nerve conditions affecting the hand. It happens when the median nerve — which runs from the forearm into the hand through a narrow passage in the wrist called the carpal tunnel — becomes compressed.
Common symptoms
- Numbness or tingling in the thumb, index, middle and part of the ring finger
- Symptoms often worse at night, sometimes waking you from sleep
- A sensation of the hand "falling asleep" during activities like driving or holding a phone
- In more advanced cases, weakness of grip or thumb movement
Why it happens
The carpal tunnel is a fixed space bordered by wrist bones and a ligament. Anything that increases pressure inside it — repetitive wrist motion, fluid retention (including in pregnancy), thyroid conditions, diabetes, or simply anatomy — can compress the nerve running through it.
How it's diagnosed
A clinical exam looking at sensation and specific provocative tests is usually the starting point. A nerve conduction study can confirm the diagnosis and show how severe the compression is, which helps guide treatment choice.
Treatment options
Non-surgical, usually tried first for mild-to-moderate cases:
- Night splinting to keep the wrist in a neutral position
- Activity modification
- Corticosteroid injection for symptom relief
Surgical release is recommended when symptoms are more severe, when nerve conduction studies show significant compression, or when non-surgical measures haven't helped. The procedure divides the ligament pressing on the nerve, relieving the compression. It's commonly done under local anaesthesia as a day procedure.
Recovery after surgery
Most patients notice improvement in numbness and tingling fairly quickly; grip strength recovery is more gradual over several weeks. Your surgeon will guide you on hand use, wound care and when to resume normal activity based on your specific case.