The carpal tunnel is a narrow canal in the wrist. The bottom and sides of the tunnel are formed by a semi-circle of bones called carpal bones. A strong tissue, called Transverse Carpal ligament, forms the top of the tunnel. The median nerve and tendons pass through this narrow space. The tendons connect muscles in the forearm to bones in the hand. Conditions that further narrow the carpal tunnel, cause carpal tunnel syndrome by compressing the median nerve.

Carpal tunnel syndrome is caused by compression of a Median nerve at the wrist. This nerve runs through a confined space known as the carpal tunnel. 

The median nerve is compressed at the wrist in the carpal tunnel, resulting in disruption of electrical impulses through the nerve. This nerve provides sensation to the thumb, index and middle fingers, and to half of the ring finger. The small finger is typically not affected. The median nerve also carries impulses to small muscles in the hand.

We will discuss your medical history in detail and examine you. Next, physical examination tests are performed, which may include:

1. Tinel’s sign. In this test, the median nerve is tapped at the wrist to see if it produces a tingling sensation in the fingers.

2. Wrist flexion test or Phalen’s test. In this test, the patient rests his or her elbows on a table and allows the wrist to fall forward freely. Individuals with carpal tunnel syndrome will experience numbness and tingling in the fingers within 60 seconds. The more quickly symptoms appear, the more severe the carpal tunnel syndrome.

During a carpal tunnel release, a cut is put through the ligament that is pressing down on the carpal tunnel known as the Transverse Carpal Ligament. This makes more room for the median nerve and tendons passing through the tunnel, and usually improves tinglind sensation,pain,numbness and hand function.