Overview
Carpal tunnel syndrome is compression of the median nerve at the wrist, leading to numbness, tingling, and weakness in the hand.

Causes and risk factors
Repetitive wrist use, pregnancy, diabetes, thyroid disease, and wrist anatomy can increase risk.

Symptoms
Numbness or tingling in the thumb, index, middle, and part of the ring finger, often worse at night; weakness or dropping objects.

Diagnosis
Clinical exam and nerve conduction studies confirm diagnosis.

Treatment
Wrist splinting, activity modification, NSAIDs, corticosteroid injections, and surgical release for severe or persistent cases.

When to seek care
Persistent numbness, weakness, or worsening symptoms should be evaluated.