For many people with tingling, pain, or numbness in their fingers, the first thing that comes to mind is often carpal tunnel syndrome. It’s a common condition but not the only one causing problems in your hands and wrists. It helps to know what to look for so you can get the right care. Early treatment can make a big difference in how long it takes to get better.
Carpal tunnel syndrome is caused by pressure on your median nerve. This nerve gives you feeling in your thumb and all your fingers except your pinky. When it goes through your wrist, it passes through the carpal tunnel — a narrow path made of bone and ligament. If you get any swelling in your wrist, this tunnel gets squeezed and pinches your median nerve, which causes your symptoms.
Early Signs of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Typically, carpal tunnel syndrome symptoms begin slowly, causing burning, numbness, tingling, or pain — most commonly in your thumb, pointer, and middle fingers. Many people report their symptoms starting in one or both hands at night and then going away in the daytime. That’s because most people sleep with their wrists bent, which causes pressure on the median nerve. You might wake up feeling like you need to shake your hands out. Your fingers also may feel swollen, even if they look normal.
Symptoms Your Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Is Progressing
At first, symptoms tend to come and go. But over time, they occur more often and become worse. As your condition gets worse, you may notice symptoms during the day as well. This often happens when you’re doing something where your wrist is bent up or down for a long time, such as driving a car, reading a newspaper, or holding your phone.
You might also notice other symptoms, such as:
- Pain and tingling that travel up your forearm to your shoulder
- On-and-off “shocks” in your thumb and fingers
- Weakness when gripping objects
Advanced Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Symptoms
Over time, carpal tunnel can also affect your grip and ability to pinch. Here are some things that could happen:
- You drop things more often (due to numbness or weakened muscles).
- You have a hard time working with small objects, such as the buttons on your shirt or zippers.
- Some tasks, such as opening a doorknob, become tough.
- It’s harder to make a fist than it used to be.
- Your fingers are numb all the time.
In more severe cases, you can lose muscle at the base of your thumb. Or you may no longer be able to tell hot from cold just by touch.
Untreated Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Symptoms
In severe and untreated cases, carpal tunnel syndrome symptoms can be extreme. You may experience:
- Muscle loss at the base of your thumb
- An inability to tell hot from cold just by touch
- Chronic wrist and hand pain
- Permanent nerve damage
When Should I Call a Doctor?
You should call a doctor if you notice any carpal tunnel symptoms or changes in how your hand and wrist feel. When you get care early on, you may find that basic options, such as rest or wearing a wrist brace, work well. That’ll allow you to avoid more serious treatment such as surgery. Without any treatment, your symptoms could become permanent.
What Other Conditions Can Cause Similar Symptoms?
Many other conditions can cause symptoms similar to carpal tunnel syndrome. One, which doctors call de Quervain tenosynovitis, causes problems with the tendons that control your thumb. It hurts when you try to turn your wrist, make a fist, or grasp an object. Your doctor can do some simple tests to tell whether you have this condition or carpal tunnel.
Other health problems that may seem like carpal tunnel syndrome include:
- Arthritis
- Ligament damage
- Neuropathy, a nerve problem
- Wrist injury, such as a fracture
- Cervical (C6-7) root compression in the neck
It’s not as common, but for some people, carpal tunnel syndrome is caused by other health issues, such as:
- Amyloidosis, a disease where proteins collect in your organs
- Birth control pills
- Diabetes
- Pregnancy
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Thyroid problems
Check with your doctor to see if you have another condition that might cause carpal tunnel syndrome.
Takeaways
Carpal tunnel syndrome is a common injury that is caused by pressure on your median nerve. The earliest symptoms start gradually and often include burning, numbness, tingling, or pain in your thumb, pointer, and middle fingers at night. When untreated, carpal tunnel symptoms can become severe and cause pain and tingling that travel up your arm, “shocks” that come and go, a weak grip, difficulty using small objects, and constant numb fingers. In severe cases, muscle loss and irreversible nerve damage can occur. There are many treatments for carpal tunnel syndrome, and it’s important to see a doctor when you start noticing symptoms.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Symptoms FAQs
What are 5 symptoms of carpal tunnel?
Five common symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome include:
- Burning, numbness, tingling, or pain in your thumb, pointer, and middle fingers
- Feeling like you need to “shake out” your wrists or hands
- Feeling like your fingers are swollen, even if they look normal
- Difficulty gripping small objects
- Frequently dropping objects
What makes carpal tunnel worse?
Some things that can make carpal tunnel worse include:
- Repeated use of vibrating machinery
- Frequent repetitive motion, such as working on an assembly line
At what age does carpal tunnel start?
Carpal tunnel almost always affects adults. It happens most often in people aged 30 to 60.
What does carpal tunnel syndrome feel like?
Carpal tunnel syndrome often feels like burning, numbness, tingling, or pain in your thumb, pointer, and middle fingers. These feelings may extend past your hand and wrist, up your arm. You may also feel clumsy or like your fingers “aren’t working” correctly for simple tasks.
How can I check myself for carpal tunnel?
The best way to get tested for carpal tunnel is at a doctor’s office. There are some movements you can do with your hands for symptoms, but without a doctor’s guidance, you might position your hands incorrectly. You should also go to a doctor to rule out other conditions that can look like the symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome.
