How Is It Diagnosed and Treated?

Did you ever wake up and your hand is still asleep — all numb and giving you pins and needles? That's what it can feel like to have CTS. One way to tell if you have CTS is to check if your pinky is also numb. It won't be in a person with CTS. A doctor who suspects CTS will listen to the person's symptoms and then do a wrist examination. By tapping on the person's wrists, the doctor is often able to tell whether the problem is CTS.

A brace or splint can help mild cases of CTS. It is usually worn at night and keeps a person's wrists from bending. Keeping the wrist straight opens the carpal tunnel so the nerve has as much room as possible. Resting the wrist will allow the swollen tendons to shrink. Medicines like ibuprofen can also help reduce the swelling.

In more severe cases, your doctor may recommend cortisone to reduce inflammation and swelling in the carpal tunnel. This medicine is given by a shot, or injection. When the symptoms of CTS have improved, the doctor may suggest the person do wrist exercises and make changes that can prevent further problems, such as repositioning the computer and keyboard.

If none of these treatments help, the person may need surgery to release the pressure on the median nerve. This surgery takes less than an hour and usually doesn't require a stay overnight in the hospital. Very few people are permanently injured by CTS. Most can get better and take steps to prevent the symptoms from returning.