Signs of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

When you feel a tingling sensation in your fingers, you might immediately suspect carpal tunnel syndrome.  Carpal tunnel syndrome is a common medical diagnosis that affects more than 3 million people in the US each year.  As an orthopedic surgeon in Lake Mary, we see many cases of carpal tunnel syndrome and we help our patients find the comfort and right treatment for them.  Look for these signs in order to determine if it's time to see a medical professional about a carpal tunnel syndrome diagnosis and treatment.  

Tingling Sensation

The most common complaint of patients with carpal tunnel syndrome is a tingling sensation in the fingers and thumb.  The pressure on your median nerve will cause this sensation.  Typically, your symptoms will be more noticeable at nighttime, because you are likely sleeping with bent wrists.  The tingling may make you feel like you need to shake your hands out to relieve the sensation.

Feeling of Pins and Needles

Feeling as though pins and needles are pricking your fingers and wrist is another common symptom in the patients we see.  You may notice this symptom after you are engaging in activities that involve you bending your wrist, like driving a car or reading a book.  

Numbness

Another early and easily recognizable symptom of carpal tunnel syndrome is the feeling of numbness in your wrist or fingers.  This will typically begin in your thumb and fingers, and may not be immediately recognized in your pinky.  As time passes, the numbness will travel throughout all of your fingers.  

Feelings of Being Shocked

Over time, you may start to feel as though you are being shocked in your fingers.  This feeling will come and go as time passes, meaning that the pressure on the median nerve may be worsening.  This will cause more pain in your fingers and wrist.  

Pain that Radiates Up Toward your Shoulder

You may also experience pain that begins in your wrist and travels up to your shoulder.  This is a symptom that you will notice as the carpal tunnel syndrome grows worse.  This also may cause you to easily drop things or have a difficult time gripping simple objects.  The median nerve travelling into your hand is becoming more compressed as time passes, which causes more significant and noticeable pain that can travel its way up your arm toward your shoulder.

If you are experiencing any of these above signs, you may have carpal tunnel syndrome.  As an orthopedic surgeon in Lake Mary, FL, we can help.  Treatment for carpal tunnel syndrome may include rest, ice, wrist splints, cortisone shots, and potentially surgery.  Early detection will help treatment be more successful and less intense.  Contact Florida Bone and Joint Specialists today to schedule an appointment if you are experiencing the signs of carpal tunnel syndrome.