Carpal tunnel syndrome
Overview
Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is pressure on a nerve in your wrist. It causes tingling, numbness and pain in your hand and fingers. You can often treat it yourself, but it can take months to get better.
Symptoms
The symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome include: an ache or pain in your fingers, hand or armnumb handstingling or pins and needlesa weak thumb or difficulty gripping These symptoms often start slowly and come and go. They're usually worse at night.
Causes
Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) happens when the carpal tunnel inside your wrist swells and squeezes 1 of your nerves (median nerve). You're more at risk of CTS if you: are overweightare pregnantdo work or hobbies that mean you repeatedly bend your wrist or grip hard, such as using vibrating toolshave certain other conditions, such as arthritis or diabeteshave a parent, brother or sister with CTShave previously injured your wrist
Treatment
Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) sometimes gets better by itself in a few months, particularly if you have it because you're pregnant. If you have carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) and a wrist splint does not help, the GP might recommend a steroid injection into your wrist. This brings down swelling around the nerve, easing the symptoms of CTS. Steroid injections are not always a cure. CTS can come back after a few months and you may need another injection.