Do you wake up at night with tingling fingers and shake your hand to bring the feeling back? You are not alone. Carpal tunnel syndrome is one of the most common hand problems we see in clinic, and it is very treatable, especially when it is caught early.
What is carpal tunnel syndrome?
The median nerve runs through a narrow tunnel at the front of your wrist. When the space inside this tunnel becomes tight, the nerve is squeezed. This causes numbness, tingling and weakness in the hand. It is more common in women, during pregnancy, and in people with diabetes, thyroid problems or jobs that involve a lot of gripping.
5 signs to look out for
1. Tingling in the thumb, index and middle fingers. The little finger is usually not affected.
2. Symptoms that wake you at night. Many people wake up with a numb hand and shake it to get relief.
3. Numbness while holding a phone, reading or driving. Keeping the wrist bent for a while makes symptoms worse.
4. A weaker grip. You may drop cups or find it harder to open jars or do up buttons.
5. Thinning at the base of the thumb. In long-standing cases, the thumb muscle can waste. This needs prompt attention.
What you can do at home
- Wear a wrist splint at night to keep the wrist straight.
- Take short breaks from typing, phone use and gripping tasks.
- Avoid sleeping with your wrists bent under your pillow.
When to see a doctor
If symptoms last more than a few weeks, keep waking you at night, or your hand feels weak, book an assessment. Early treatment, such as a splint or an injection, often avoids surgery. If surgery is needed, carpal tunnel release is a short day-case procedure under local anaesthetic.
Book a consultation: Dr. Faheem Mubashir Farooqi is a fellowship-trained hand surgeon in Lahore. Book your appointment on our website or read more about carpal tunnel syndrome on our Treatments page.
This article is for general information and is not a substitute for a medical consultation.