Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) 

Idiopathic median neuropathy at the carpal tunnel

How Does CTS Feel?

Tingling

• Tingling in your thumb, index, long, and part of your ring finger

• Initially, the tingling comes and goes

• The tingling can be so intense that it’s uncomfortable

• The tingling can wake you and make it difficult to sleep 

• Over time you start to notice more and more tingling

Loss of feeling

• At first, the loss of feeling is only there when you feel tingling

• With advanced disease, the numbness becomes constant

(Pain without numbness is probably NOT Carpal Tunnel Syndrome)

What can I expect with CTS?

The median neuropathy eventually involves both hands.

A splint at night can help you sleep for years.

When the splint no longer prevents the tingling it’s time for surgery.

You want to have surgery before you get constant numbness.

Constant numbness may not go away after surgery.

What Causes CTS?

You’re born with it.  It slowly becomes a problem in adulthood.

How is CTS Treated? 

Splints can help you sleep for years. 

Surgery should be done before you lose feeling permanently.