Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS)

Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), also referred to median neuropathy at the wrist, is a condition that signals the median nerve is compressed at the wrist, resulting in numbness and muscle weakness in the patient's hand. Patients suffering from activity-related arm pain are often misdiagnosed with CTS.

The most common symptoms of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome are night time disturbances and waking at night. In most patients, these symptoms can be managed effectively with night-time wrist splinting.

The effectiveness of medications, such as a corticosteroid injection into the carpal canal, is unclear. In severe cases, a patient can undergo surgery to cut the transverse carpal ligament. Surgery can be effective at relieving symptoms and preventing ongoing nerve damage, but established nerve dysfunction in the form of constant numbness, atrophy, or weakness are usually permanent and do not respond predictably to surgery.