Overview
Carpal tunnel syndrome happens when a nerve is squeezed as it passes through a narrow tunnel at the wrist, causing tingling, numbness and pain in the hand. It is common in people who do repetitive hand and wrist work, and in pregnancy, diabetes and thyroid problems. Symptoms are often worst at night. Many people improve with wrist splints and simple measures; a smaller number need an injection or a quick operation to release the nerve.
Symptoms
- Tingling or numbness in the thumb, index and middle fingers
- Symptoms often worse at night, waking you from sleep
- Pain that may spread up the forearm
- A weak grip and dropping objects
- Relief on shaking the hand
When to see a doctor
See a doctor for lasting hand tingling or numbness, especially at night, or if the grip is weakening.
Causes
Pressure on the median nerve at the wrist, linked to repetitive hand use, pregnancy, diabetes, thyroid problems and wrist injury.