Dr. Abhinav Singhal is a highly skilled Orthopedic Surgeon in Ghaziabad with over 10 years of experience, specializing in joint arthroscopy, joint replacement, and complex trauma care.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is a compression of the median nerve as it passes through the carpal tunnel in the wrist. This causes numbness, tingling, weakness, and pain in the hand and fingers—especially the thumb, index, middle, and half of the ring finger.
The carpal tunnel is a narrow passage in the wrist. Any swelling or narrowing of this tunnel can compress the median nerve.
Common causes :-
Repetitive hand/wrist motions (typing, tools, driving)
Prolonged wrist flexion/extension
Pregnancy (fluid retention)
Diabetes, hypothyroidism, rheumatoid arthritis
Wrist fracture or trauma
Obesity
Genetic predisposition (narrower tunnel)
Numbness and tingling in thumb, index, middle fingers
Pain or burning in hand/wrist, sometimes radiating up the arm
Worsens at night or with repetitive use
Hand weakness (dropping objects, difficulty gripping)
Thenar muscle wasting in advanced cases
Physical exam :-
Tinel’s Sign :- Tapping over median nerve causes tingling
Phalen’s Maneuver :- Flexing wrists together worsens symptoms
Electrodiagnostic tests (EMG/NCS) :- Confirm nerve compression
Ultrasound or MRI : Occasionally used to visualize the nerve or tunnel
✅ Effective in mild to moderate CTS
Wrist splinting (especially at night)
Activity modification
NSAIDs (ibuprofen) for pain/inflammation
Steroid injections into carpal tunnel
Physical therapy: Nerve gliding exercises
Ergonomic adjustments (keyboard height, mouse use, wrist posture)
Carpal Tunnel Release Surgery
Indicated if :-
Symptoms persist >6 months
Weakness or atrophy is present
Non-surgical measures fail
Procedure :- Cuts the transverse carpal ligament to relieve pressure on the median nerve
Open or endoscopic techniques available
Usually outpatient
Permanent nerve damage
Weakness and muscle wasting
Decreased fine motor skills
Sleep disruption from nighttime symptoms
Poor hand function
F&Q'sCarpal Tunnel Syndrome is a compression of the median nerve as it passes through the carpal tunnel in the wrist. This causes numbness, tingling, weakness, and pain in the hand and fingers—especially the thumb, index, middle, and half of the ring finger.
The carpal tunnel is a narrow passage in the wrist. Any swelling or narrowing of this tunnel can compress the median nerve.
Common causes:
Repetitive hand/wrist motions (typing, tools, driving)
Prolonged wrist flexion/extension
Pregnancy (fluid retention)
Diabetes, hypothyroidism, rheumatoid arthritis
Wrist fracture or trauma
Obesity
Genetic predisposition (narrower tunnel)
Mild cases can improve with rest and splinting, but persistent or worsening symptoms require treatment.
Yes—over 90% of patients see symptom relief with carpal tunnel release surgery.
Reduce repetitive strain, maintain good wrist posture, take breaks during work, and strengthen hand muscles.
Yes, bilateral CTS is common—especially in certain jobs or medical conditions.