Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is caused by pressure on a nerve in the wrist
It causes tingling, numbness and pain in the hand and fingers
You can often treat it yourself, though it can take months to improve
Symptoms are usually worse at night
It sometimes clears up on its own, particularly if caused by pregnancy
About Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is caused by pressure on a nerve in the wrist, causing tingling, numbness and pain in the hand and fingers. You can often treat it yourself, but it can take months to fully improve.
Symptoms
Symptoms include an ache or pain in the fingers, hand or arm, numbness, tingling or pins and needles, and a weak thumb or difficulty gripping. These symptoms often start gradually and come and go, and are usually worse at night.
Treating It Yourself
CTS sometimes improves on its own within a few months, particularly if it's linked to pregnancy. A wrist splint, worn at night to keep the wrist straight, can help relieve pressure on the nerve — it may take up to 6 weeks of wear before you notice an improvement, and splints are available from pharmacies or online. It also helps to cut down on activities that involve repeatedly bending the wrist or gripping hard, such as using vibrating tools or playing an instrument.
Painkillers such as paracetamol or ibuprofen can ease pain in the short term, though there's little evidence they treat the underlying cause, so it's best not to rely on them alone. There's also some evidence that specific hand exercises can help ease symptoms — the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy provides guidance on simple exercises worth trying.
Page last reviewed: 6 March 2024 · Next review due: 6 March 2027
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome · Treatment
GP Treatment and Surgery
? 4 min readReviewed: March 2024
When to See a GP
See a GP if your symptoms are getting worse or aren't going away, or if treating it yourself at home hasn't helped. In many areas, you may be able to access help such as physiotherapy directly through NHS community musculoskeletal (MSK) services, without needing a GP referral first.
Getting a Diagnosis
CTS can usually be diagnosed by discussing your symptoms and examining your hand. If there's any uncertainty, you may be referred to hospital for a nerve conduction test, or a scan such as an ultrasound or MRI.
Steroid Injections
If a wrist splint hasn't helped, a steroid injection into the wrist may be recommended, reducing swelling around the nerve to ease symptoms. This isn't always a permanent fix — CTS can return after a few months, sometimes needing a further injection.
Surgery
If CTS is getting worse and other treatments haven't worked, you may be referred to a specialist to discuss surgery, which usually cures the condition. The procedure is done under local anaesthetic, with a small cut made in the hand to release pressure on the nerve inside the wrist. It takes around 20 minutes, doesn't need an overnight hospital stay, and it can take about a month afterwards to return to normal activities.
Page last reviewed: 6 March 2024 · Next review due: 6 March 2027
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome · Causes
What Causes Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
? 3 min readReviewed: March 2024
Why It Happens
Carpal tunnel syndrome happens when the carpal tunnel inside the wrist swells and puts pressure on a nerve (the median nerve) passing through it. You may be more at risk if you're overweight, pregnant, do work or hobbies involving repeated wrist bending or firm gripping (such as using vibrating tools), have a condition such as arthritis or diabetes, have a close family member with CTS, or have previously injured your wrist.
Page last reviewed: 6 March 2024 · Next review due: 6 March 2027
