Carpal tunnel syndrome is compression of the median nerve at the wrist. It may affect one or both hands. A nerve problem in the neck is a different diagnosis, even when symptoms overlap.
Symptoms can include nighttime tingling, numbness in the thumb and nearby fingers, and difficulty gripping. Persistent numbness, weakness or dropping objects warrants prompt assessment.
Several factors can contribute, including wrist anatomy, pregnancy and conditions such as diabetes or rheumatoid arthritis. Repeated or sustained wrist loading may aggravate symptoms.
Symptoms during computer work do not prove that typing caused the condition. AAOS’s 2024 guidance does not establish heavy keyboard use as a cause.
Tell your clinician about your symptoms, health history and activities that aggravate them. Risk factors alone do not establish a diagnosis. An assessment can help distinguish wrist-level nerve compression from other hand or arm problems.
Care depends on severity. Options may include a night splint, activity changes or clinician-directed treatment. Surgery can be appropriate for persistent or severe nerve compression; it should not be dismissed as usually unsuccessful.
Read the AAOS overview of carpal tunnel treatment. Neck adjustments cannot be promised to resolve compression at the wrist or prevent surgery.
Ask what the assessment suggests, whether specialist testing or referral is needed, and how improvement will be measured. For a routine consultation, view booking options or call 704-461-1836.
