Carpal tunnel syndrome is essentially an anatomical imbalance of the carpal tunnel—an anatomical passageway in the wrist through which the tendons of the fingers and the median nerve pass.
Any condition that disrupts the anatomy of this area can result in compression of the median nerve, leading to symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome.
Therefore, carpal tunnel syndrome is not a single, isolated disease but a syndrome that may arise from a variety of other conditions such as:
Symptoms in carpal tunnel syndrome, especially in the early stages, are non-specific and vary from patient to patient, making early diagnosis difficult even for experienced orthopedic surgeons or neurologists.
Patients typically describe pain in the hand and forearm, often accompanied by numbness in the first three and a half fingers—the thumb, index, middle, and the radial side of the ring finger—corresponding to the area supplied by the median nerve.
In more advanced cases, patients may also report muscle weakness and difficulty holding objects.
About half of patients report worsening symptoms at night, with pain that may even wake them from sleep, while the other half notice symptoms mainly during the day.
On clinical examination, in advanced stages, atrophy of the thumb muscles and functional weakness of the hand may be observed—an outcome we aim to avoid through timely treatment.
Depending on the severity of the condition, the degree of discomfort and the impact on daily activities, treatment may be conservative, minimally invasive, or surgical.
Conservative treatment includes appropriate medication with anti-inflammatory and analgesic drugs and the use of a specialized wrist splint for several hours a day.
It is also important to avoid activities that worsen symptoms. Special stretching exercises for the flexor tendons of the fingers, physiotherapy, or ice therapy may also be recommended.
If carpal tunnel syndrome is caused or worsened by associated conditions such as thyroid dysfunction or diabetes, managing these underlying issues will lead to improvement or even complete resolution of the syndrome.
Minimally invasive treatments include corticosteroid and local anesthetic injections into the carpal tunnel—often offering impressive and long-lasting relief—as well as pulsed radiofrequency treatment of the median nerve.
If conservative and minimally invasive methods fail, surgical treatment is performed. This involves surgically releasing the carpal tunnel and decompressing the median nerve, using one of several accepted techniques.
For diagnosis, the Phalen test (wrist flexion), the Tinel test (light tapping over the median nerve), and the Durkan test (pressure on the wrist) are usually used. When more precise confirmation is needed, an electromyogram (EMG) or other specialized examinations may be performed.
In the early stages, symptoms appear mainly at night and include numbness, tingling, or pain in the fingers and the wrist. Over time, grip weakness may develop, objects may fall from the hand, or there may be difficulty with fine motor tasks such as buttoning clothes.
Yes, gentle stretches of the wrist and fingers, circular movements, and strengthening exercises for the thumb help reduce pressure on the median nerve. It is important that they are performed correctly, ideally under the guidance of a physiotherapist, so that the symptoms do not worsen.
In some cases, such as during pregnancy or after excessive use of the hand, the symptoms may improve on their own. However, the problem usually persists or gradually worsens if it is not properly managed.
Recovery varies from case to case. Most light activities can be resumed within 2–3 weeks, while manual labor or heavy use of the hand may require several months. Physiotherapy after the procedure helps speed up full recovery.
Yes, in mild stages it can improve with conservative methods such as night splints, stretching exercises, anti-inflammatory medications, and physiotherapy. Early diagnosis increases the chances of avoiding surgery.
A splint helps stabilize the wrist and reduces pressure on the median nerve, especially at night. It is often recommended as a first-line treatment before the patient proceeds to more invasive options.
Prolonged typing and poor ergonomics of the hand and wrist can worsen the symptoms. Using an ergonomic keyboard, taking regular breaks, and maintaining proper posture help with prevention.
