[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2017\/03\/carpal-tunnel-syndrome\/#Article","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2017\/03\/carpal-tunnel-syndrome\/","headline":"Do You Have Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?","name":"Do You Have Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?","description":"Carpal tunnel syndrome is a painful disorder of the wrist and hand affecting 4 to 10 million Americans. ","datePublished":"2017-03-19","dateModified":"2019-11-06","author":{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/www.upmc.com\/services\/orthopaedics-regions","name":"UPMC Orthopaedic Care","url":"https:\/\/www.upmc.com\/services\/orthopaedics-regions","sameAs":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/orthopaedic-surgery\/","parentOrganization":"UPMC"},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"UPMC HealthBeat","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","width":600,"height":60}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/032017_CARPALTUNNELSYNDROM.jpg","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/032017_CARPALTUNNELSYNDROM.jpg","height":325,"width":751},"url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2017\/03\/carpal-tunnel-syndrome\/","about":["Orthopaedics"],"wordCount":344,"keywords":["carpal tunnel syndrome","orthopaedics"],"articleBody":"Do you repeat the same hand motions over and over at work or play \u2014 perhaps typing, doing needlework, gardening, or using a vibrating hand-held power tool? You could be at risk of developing carpal tunnel syndrome.Carpal tunnel syndrome is a painful disorder of the wrist and hand affecting 4 to 10 million Americans. It occurs when inflammation, or swelling, within the enclosed area of the wrist puts pressure on the median nerve, causing numbness, tingling, and weakness in the hand.Other causes of swelling include pregnancy and illnesses, such as hypothyroidism, rheumatoid arthritis, and diabetes.Symptoms of Carpal Tunnel SyndromeAccording to orthopaedic surgeon Thomas B. Hughes, Jr., MD, common symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome include:Numbness or tingling in your hands and fingers, especially the thumb, index, and middle fingersPain in the wrist, palm, or forearmPain that wakes you up at nightPain and numbness that occurs with specific activities, such as holding a phone, driving, or anything involving the hand raised above the heartDiagnosis of Carpal Tunnel SyndromeYour doctor will ask you about your medical history, your symptoms, and how you use your hands, followed by a physical examination. Your doctor may also prescribe a nerve conduction test, or electromyography (EMG) to confirm the diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome.Carpal Tunnel Syndrome TreatmentsWith early diagnosis and treatment, carpal tunnel often can be treated without surgery, including:Wearing a splint on your wrist to maintain a natural wrist position, especially at nightAnti-inflammatory drugsCortisone injectionsCarpal Tunnel Release SurgeryWhen medication or other treatments do not provide relief, carpal tunnel release surgery may be necessary. The goal of this minimally invasive procedure is to take the pressure off the nerve at the wrist by releasing the ligament covering the carpal tunnel.Carpal tunnel release surgery is performed on an outpatient basis. Patients often experience immediate relief in their hand once the pressure on the nerve is eliminated with surgery. It may take longer for other patients to feel relief \u2014 especially those whose symptoms progressed to the severe level."},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"2017","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2017\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"03","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2017\/\/03\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"Do You Have Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2017\/03\/carpal-tunnel-syndrome\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]