Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Symptoms usually start gradually, with frequent numbness or tingling in the fingers, especially the thumb and the index and middle fingers. Some people with CTS say their fingers feel useless and swollen, even though little or no swelling is apparent. The symptoms often first appear in one or both hands during the night. The dominant hand is usually affected first and produces the most severe symptoms. A person with CTS may wake up feeling the need to “shake out” the hand or wrist. As symptoms worsen, people might feel tingling during the day, especially with certain activities such as talking on the phone, reading a book or newspaper, or driving. Hand weakness may make it difficult to grasp small objects or perform other manual tasks. In chronic and/or untreated cases, the muscles at the base of the thumb may waste away. Some people with very severe CTS cannot determine between hot and cold by touch, and may burn their fingertips without knowing it.