Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Symptoms - A Patient Guide

Carpal tunnel syndrome symptoms include intermittent "pins-and-needles" in the the hand. Often the thumb, index and middle finger but all fingers may be affected. Pain is generally worse at night than during the day. Patients may awaken with a burning pain or tingling that may be relieved with shaking of their hands. Pain may spread all the way up the forearm to the elbow and shoulder. Symptoms are most often in both hands, develop slowly, and progress.

In the early stages the nerve symptoms are reversible. If untreated, it can result in thumb muscle wasting, chronic hand weakness, and permanent numbness in the median nerve area of the hand. Carpal tunnel syndrome symptoms can be very disabling.