Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is the most common entrapment neuropathy. It is more common in women, especially in the middle age group.
It occurs as a result of compression of the median nerve at the wrist level within the carpal tunnel.
Patients mostly complain of numbness, tingling and pain in the first 3 fingers. Waking up in the morning with numbness in the hands is usually the first complaint to occur. Patients wake up at night with complaints of numbness and pain. This may be accompanied by swelling in the hands. Numbness increases in positions where the hands are in the air, such as using the steering wheel. Numbness and pain may spread to the forearm, arm and shoulder over time. The general clinical course is chronic and progressive.
