Joint & Extremity
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Numbness, tingling, weak grip — and the simple surgery that fixes it.
Carpal tunnel syndrome is the most common nerve compression in the body, affecting roughly 3–6% of adults. It's caused by pressure on the median nerve as it passes through the carpal tunnel at the wrist. Mild cases respond to splinting and ergonomic correction. Moderate-to-severe cases benefit from carpal tunnel release — a quick outpatient procedure that's one of the most successful surgeries in medicine.
Understanding the Condition
What is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?
The carpal tunnel is a narrow passageway in the wrist formed by the carpal bones below and the transverse carpal ligament above. Through it pass nine flexor tendons and the median nerve. When pressure inside the tunnel rises — from inflammation of the tendons, fluid retention, or anatomic narrowing — the median nerve gets compressed. The nerve supplies sensation to the thumb, index, middle, and half of the ring finger, plus the muscles at the base of the thumb. Compression causes numbness, tingling, pain, and (in advanced cases) muscle wasting.
Common Causes
- Repetitive hand and wrist activities (computer work, manual labor)
- Pregnancy (fluid retention)
- Diabetes
- Hypothyroidism
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Wrist fractures or sprains
- Genetic predisposition (anatomically narrow tunnel)
Common Symptoms
- Numbness and tingling in the thumb, index, middle, and ring fingers
- Symptoms worse at night or upon waking
- Hand weakness, dropping objects
- Pain that may radiate up the forearm
- Atrophy of the thenar muscles (base of thumb) in severe cases
- Symptoms worse with driving, holding a phone, or reading
When to Seek Care
When Should You See a Specialist?
See a specialist for symptoms that wake you at night, weakness or dropping objects, symptoms lasting more than 4–6 weeks despite home measures, or any thenar atrophy (which suggests advanced compression that needs surgical release sooner rather than later).
Treatment Options
How We Treat Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
We always begin with the least invasive treatment that's likely to work for you. Surgery is reserved for cases where conservative care has been given a fair trial — or when the situation truly requires it.
Conservative (Non-Surgical) Care
- Wrist splints — especially worn at night
- Ergonomic correction (keyboard position, mouse use)
- Activity modification
- Anti-inflammatory medications
- Corticosteroid injections into the carpal tunnel (effective short-term)
- Physical or occupational therapy
Surgical Options
- Open carpal tunnel release — small incision, classical approach
- Endoscopic carpal tunnel release — even smaller incision via tiny camera, faster return to activity
- Both performed outpatient under local or regional anesthesia
Recovery & Outlook
What to Expect After Treatment
Carpal tunnel release is one of the most successful surgeries in orthopedics — about 95% of patients have significant relief of nighttime numbness within days. Grip strength recovery takes 4–8 weeks. Return to typing or light work: about 1 week. Heavy work: 4–6 weeks.
Meet Your Team
Specialists Who Treat Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
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Carpal Tunnel Syndrome — Frequently Asked Questions
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Get Expert Help for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Our specialists can diagnose your condition and design a personalized treatment plan that gets you back to the life you love.