Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

What is carpal tunnel syndrome?

Carpal tunnel syndrome happens when the median nerve — a major nerve that runs from your forearm into your hand — becomes compressed as it passes through a narrow space in the wrist called the carpal tunnel. This space is tight to begin with, so even small increases in pressure can affect how the nerve functions.

At Novant Health Orthopedics & Sports Medicine – Hand Institute, we understand how disruptive hand numbness, tingling or weakness can be to your work, hobbies and daily routines. Our orthopedic hand and wrist surgeons are here to help you understand what’s causing your symptoms and identify steps to guide you to relief.

A Novant Health team member is holding a stethoscope to a patient as they check their blood pressure.

A quick look at your wrist anatomy

Your carpal tunnel is a narrow passageway on the palm side of your wrist. It’s formed by small wrist bones on the bottom and a strong ligament on top. Inside this tunnel run:

The median nerve
Flexor tendons that help you bend your fingers

When swelling occurs, it can press on the median nerve, causing symptoms like pain, numbness and tingling that can make everyday tasks uncomfortable.

Overview

Symptoms

Carpal tunnel syndrome symptoms often begin gradually and can include:

Numbness, tingling or pain in the thumb, index and ring fingers
Weakness or dropping objects due to reduced hand strength
Symptoms that worsen at night or with activities like driving, but over time can become constant

Causes

Most cases of carpal tunnel syndrome don’t have one clear cause. Instead, a combination of factors can increase swelling or pressure inside the carpal tunnel, including:

Overuse of repetitive activities
Swelling due to pregnancy
Diabetes, thyroid disease or rheumatoid arthritis
Swelling from fractures or other acute injuries

Diagnosing carpal tunnel syndrome

Your hand and wrist specialist will review symptoms, history and activities, then perform:

A hands-on exam of sensation, strength, swelling and mobility

Simple tests like tapping or pressing on the nerve, or flexing your wrist, to recreate numbness or tingling

Nerve studies or ultrasound, if needed, to confirm median nerve pressure and rule out other issues

X-rays to check for fractures, arthritis or structural problems

We’ll explain results clearly, so you feel informed and supported.

Ready to find answers and start feeling better?

Our board-certified orthopedic hand and wrist surgeons, Eric Angermeier, MD and Kyle Kokko, MD, PhD, are here to help you heal. They can often diagnose the problem in one visit and get you started with a personalized treatment plan. We offer a wide variety of both nonoperative and operative treatment options.