Inflamed tissues in the carpal tunnel may press against the median nerve and cause:

• Numbness in your fingers
• Pain in your fingers
• Tingling in your fingers
• Weakness or clumsiness in your hand
• Pain in the shoulder or forearm.

Several factors contribute to carpal tunnel syndrome. They include sprains, fractures, rheumatoid arthritis, work stress, mechanical problems in the wrist joint, an overactive pituitary gland, and a tumor or cyst. Women are more likely to develop carpal tunnel syndrome than men, possibly because they tend to have smaller carpal tunnels. People with diabetes and other disorders that affect the nerves and people who have assembly line jobs also are at higher risk.

Contact your physician if you have symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome. When the condition is not treated, it may permanently damage the median nerve. It also may imitate other conditions that should be treated.

Your doctor will examine your hands, arms, shoulders and neck; check your wrist for swelling, tenderness and discoloration; test the fingers for sensation; and evaluate the strength of muscles in the base of your hand. He or she may also order a nerve conduction study to measure nerve impulses or an ultrasound to detect impaired movement of the median nerve.

Conservative treatment may be effective when carpal tunnel syndrome is diagnosed early. It includes resting the hand and wrist for at least two weeks, avoiding activities that make the condition worse, applying cool packs to reduce swelling, and using a splint to hold the wrist in place. Anti-inflammatory drugs, steroid injections, and specific therapy techniques to relieve pressure on the nerve are beneficial in some patients. Hand therapy may also be helpful.

When conservative treatment is not effective, surgery may be necessary. The surgery is generally performed on an outpatient basis using local anesthesia. A surgeon makes one or two small incisions in the wrist and cuts the carpal ligament to widen the carpal tunnel.

After surgery, most people notice an immediate reduction in symptoms and return to normal activity relatively quickly. Some people occasionally have persistent weakness or tenderness in the hand after surgery, but these symptoms tend to go away after a short course of therapy.

Reducing Your Risk for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
You can reduce your risk of developing carpal tunnel syndrome in several ways:

• Stop doing activities that cause numbness or pain in your fingers, hands, or wrists.
• Do stretching exercises for your hands and wrists before you work.
• Switch hands and change positions often when you are doing repetitive movements.
• Take breaks and rest your hands.
• Use correct posture.
• Use hand and wrist movements that spread pressure and motion evenly throughout your hands and wrists.
• Limit your salt intake if you tend to retain fluid.
• Wear a wrist splint to reduce movement of your fingers, hand, or wrist when you sleep.