Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) can cause symptoms such as pain, tingling, numbness, and weakness in the fingers, hand, wrist, and arm. Symptoms typically begin slowly and worsen over time, but various treatments may help.

CTS refers to pressure on the median nerve in the wrist. The median nerve runs from the forearm to the palm of the hand and provides feeling to the thumb, index, middle fingers, and a section of the ring finger.

The median nerve sits inside the carpal tunnel, which is a narrow tunnel consisting of bones and a thick ligament. The carpal tunnel can become narrow, which then applies pressure to or squeezes the median nerve.

This pressure on the median nerve can cause CTS symptoms.

Read on to learn more about the symptoms of CTS, how they might progress, what treatment options are available, and more.

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Symptoms of CTS can include:

  • pain or an aching sensation in the:
    • fingers
    • hand
    • wrist
  • pins and needles or a tingling sensation in the thumbs and fingers
  • numbness in the fingers
  • muscle weakness in the thumb, hand, and wrist
  • difficulty performing tasks such as using doorknobs, buttoning clothing, or holding objects
  • electric shock-like sensations in the fingers, hand, and wrist

Symptoms of CTS typically start slowly and come and go at various times of the day. At first, a person may only experience symptoms during the night.

Certain activities, such as driving, holding a phone, and painting, may aggravate a person’s symptoms.

Learn more about what CTS feels like.

Symptoms of CTS typically begin gradually and progress slowly over time.

To begin with, a person may only experience symptoms at night. As symptoms progress, they may experience symptoms during both the daytime and at night.

If a person has had CTS for a long time and does not receive adequate treatment, they may find that symptoms are constantly present. This can lead to more severe symptoms, such as muscle weakness in the hand and an inability to pick up or grasp objects.

Symptoms of CTS usually worsen when the wrist bends forward. This can increase pressure on the median nerve.

At night, a person may sleep with a bent hand and wrist, which can worsen symptoms.

Learn more about what can cause numbness in the hands while sleeping.

If a person has mild symptoms of CTS, a doctor may recommend a wrist splint or brace as the first line of treatment. The individual may need to wear a wrist splint during the night to help keep the wrist in alignment, therefore reducing pressure on the median nerve.

If a person’s CTS symptoms do not improve after wearing a wrist splint for 1–2 months, a doctor may recommend alternative treatments.

Corticosteroid injections are a type of anti-inflammatory medication that a doctor can inject into the wrist to help relieve swelling and pressure on the median nerve. Following a corticosteroid injection, relief from symptoms may last approximately 3 months.

However, if someone does not notice any improvement in symptoms after one to two injections, a doctor may recommend alternative treatments, such as:

  • Physical therapy: A specialized hand therapist may be able to help relieve symptoms of CTS using various hand and wrist exercises.
  • Carpal tunnel open release surgery: This procedure relieves pressure on the median nerve by cutting the carpal ligament and widening the carpal tunnel.
  • Endoscopic surgery: This involves placing a small camera through an incision in the wrist and in the palm. A doctor can then use the camera to guide them and cut the carpal ligament. Endoscopic surgery may be less invasive than open release surgery, but there may be a higher risk of complications.

Learn more about home remedies for CTS.

Here are answers to common questions about CTS.

How do you fix carpal tunnel syndrome?

A person with CTS may find that wearing a wrist splint at night helps relieve symptoms. If a wrist splint is ineffective, there are several other ways to treat CTS, including steroid injections, physical therapy, and surgery.

Can carpal tunnel syndrome heal on its own?

In some cases, CTS may resolve on its own. However, it can be a progressive condition, which means it may worsen over time.

What aggravates carpal tunnel syndrome?

Activities that involve repeating the same hand and wrist movements can aggravate symptoms of CTS. These include typing, texting, driving, holding a phone, and painting. Activities that keep the hand and wrist in a flexed or extended position for a prolonged period can also aggravate symptoms.

Can you fix carpal tunnel syndrome without surgery?

It may be possible to treat CTS without surgery. A doctor typically recommends wearing a wrist splint, particularly at night, as the first line of treatment. If a wrist splint does not relieve symptoms, a doctor may prescribe anti-inflammatory steroid injections or physical therapy.

Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) can cause symptoms such as pain, tingling, numbness, and muscle weakness in the fingers, hand, wrist, and arm.

Symptoms are typically worse at night due to a person sleeping with the wrist in a flexed or bent position.

Treatment options for CTS can involve wearing a wrist splint, corticosteroid injections, physical therapy, and surgery.