Carpal Tunnel Syndrome in Rotherham

The carpal tunnel is a narrow passage on the palm side of the wrist, bounded by the small bones of the wrist and a tough band of tissue called the transverse carpal ligament. Through this tunnel run the flexor tendons that bend the fingers and the median nerve, which provides sensation to the thumb, index, middle and half of the ring finger, and powers some of the small thenar muscles at the base of the thumb.

When the tissues inside the tunnel swell, or the tunnel becomes relatively too tight, pressure rises on the median nerve and its blood supply is reduced. This produces the classic symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome: pins and needles, numbness, burning pain and aching that often radiates up the forearm. Symptoms are typically worse at night, on waking, or with activities that involve sustained gripping or a flexed wrist.

Carpal tunnel syndrome is more common in women, in people aged 40 to 60, and in those with diabetes, thyroid problems, rheumatoid arthritis or during pregnancy. Repetitive hand use can contribute, but in many cases no single cause is found. Diagnosis is usually made from the history and examination, sometimes supported by a nerve conduction study to confirm the degree of median nerve compression and rule out other causes such as cubital tunnel syndrome or cervical nerve root problems.