Lippincott Nursing Pocket Card - Updated February 2023

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

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Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is caused by compression of the median nerve along the carpal tunnel with symptoms such as numbness, tingling, hand and arm pain, and muscle dysfunction (Kothari, 2022a). CTS is a common disorder affecting approximately 3.8% of the population and results in a significant number of lost days of work and productivity.

Pathophysiology 

The median nerve provides sensation to the thumb, index finger, middle finger, and sometimes the ring finger. The median nerve travels down the forearm and enters the hand through a narrow tunnel formed by the bones of the wrist and the transverse carpal ligament. Injury, inflammation, or swelling in this area may cause compression of the median nerve which can result in symptoms of CTS.

Causes (Kothari, 2022a)

  • Injury, inflammation, swelling or thickening of the flexor tendons around the median nerves
  • Fibrosis surrounding the flexor tendons
  • Congenitally small anatomic space within the carpal tunnel
  • Lesions, cysts, or neoplasms that compress the median nerve
  • Systemic illnesses that cause edema or inflammation (i.e., rheumatoid arthritis)

Risk Factors (Kothari, 2022a; Erickson, 2019)

Risk Factors for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome*
Obesity Rheumatoid arthritis Genetic predisposition
Female gender Hypothyroidism Aromatase inhibitor use
Peri-menopause Tendonitis Trauma
Pregnancy – symptoms often resolve after delivery Preexisting median mononeuropathy Workplace factors (repetition, forceful exertion, vibration)
Diabetes mellitus Connective tissue diseases High hand/wrist repetition rate

*Assess patients for risk factors but note that the presence of only one does not rule-in CTS. Studies support that physical activity is associated with a decreased risk of developing CTS.

Symptoms (Kothari, 2022b)

  • Characteristic symptoms
    • Paresthesia: numbness or tingling of the fingers, particularly the thumb, index finger, middle finger, and one-half of the ring finger
    • Pain: dull ache in the hand, forearm, or upper arm
    • Weakness or clumsiness of the hand
    • Occurrence of any of these symptoms in the median distribution
  • Provocative factors
    • Sleep
    • Sustained hand or arm positions
    • Repetitive actions of the hand or wrist
  • Mitigating factors
    • Changes in hand posture
    • Shaking the hand

Physical Examination

  • Test sensation in all areas of the hand, forearm, and upper arm
  • Evaluate weakness of the thumb both abduction and opposition

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Common Diagnostic Tests (Kothari, 2022b)

No single test should be used to diagnose CTS. A combination of physical exam, diagnostic questionnaires and electrodiagnostic studies provide better accuracy to rule-in or rule-out CTS.

Tests Used to Facilitate the Diagnosis of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Test Maneuver Positive Test
Phalen’s Hold wrist in a fixed flexion position for 1 minute Development of or increase in paresthesia along median nerve
Tinel’s test Tap over the median nerve, proximal to or on top of the carpal tunnel Tingling feeling or electrical shocks along the median nerve
Two-point discrimination Ability to distinguish between two sharp objects at different points >5 mm sensation between points considered abnormal
Manual carpal compression test Apply pressure over the transverse carpal ligament Pain or paresthesia occurs within 30 seconds of applying pressure
Hand elevation test Patient raises hands over head for one minute Positive if it reproduces symptoms of CTS.
Nerve Conduction Studies (NCS) Motor conduction studies of the median nerve; quantifies disease severity and differentiates muscle conditions from neurological disorders Slowed conduction velocities indicates CTS; more severe compression may result in motor or sensory nerve action potential amplitude; mild CTS may not show any conduction abnormalities
Electromyography (EMG) Assess for changes in the muscles innervated by the median nerve; excludes other conditions such as polyneuropathy, plexopathy, and radiculopathy (pinched nerve) Active denervation or chronic changes that may indicate denervation and reinnervation 
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Use only in rare cases to rule out a mass or lesion; MRI should not be used routinely for CTS diagnosis. Detects abnormalities of the median nerve, flexor tendons, vascular structures, and transverse carpal ligament

Treatment

Patient management is based on severity of CTS symptoms and degree of injury as found on electrodiagnostic studies.

Grading Severity of CTS (Kothari, 2022c)
Clinical Grading Signs and Symptoms
Mild
  • Numbness, tingling, or discomfort in the median nerve.
  • No sensory loss or weakness, no sleep disruption, no difficulty with hand function or interference with activities of daily living (ADLs).
Moderate
  • Sensory loss in the median distribution or symptoms at night that disrupt sleep.
  • Symptoms may interfere slightly with hand function, but the patient is able to perform all ADLs.
Severe
  • Weakness in the median distribution or if symptoms are disabling and prevent the patient from one or two ADLs, or if nocturnal symptoms routinely disrupt sleep.

Nonsurgical Management (Kothari, 2022c)

Nonsurgical treatment should be implemented first-line for patients with mild CTS who haven’t had electrodiagnostic studies. A combination of therapies (splinting along with glucocorticoid injections, oral glucocorticoids, or other nonsurgical interventions) may be more effective than any single treatment. Improvement may take up to 6 months.
  • Lifestyle modifications
    • Avoid repetitive motions
    • Take frequent breaks
    • Use ergonomic equipment
    • Alternate job functions
  • Wrist splinting
    • Recommend a neutral-positioned wrist orthosis worn at night for short-term symptom relief and functional improvement for nonsurgical management (Erickson et al., 2019)
    • Wrist splinting in neutral position and 0° extension with custom-fit wrist splints for night-time use and as needed for daytime symptoms
    • Minimum of 6 to 8 weeks; if symptoms persist after one month, continue splinting for another 1 to 2 months and add another therapy (oral or injection corticosteroid)
  • Corticosteroid injections – should be the next option (before oral corticosteroids) if splinting is unsuccessful
    • Reduces tissue inflammation
    • May provide relief for up to a year
    • Single injection of methylprednisolone, with 40 mg as the recommended dose
    • Contraindicated with Thenar muscle weakness and/or atrophy or advanced sensory loss
    • Multiple injections are not recommended; limit frequency of injections for CTS to no more than once every six months per wrist; for recurrent symptoms after two injections, consider other nonsurgical treatments or surgical evaluation
    • Risks include worsening of median nerve compression, accidental injection into the median or ulnar nerve, and digital flexor tendon rupture
  • Oral corticosteroids
    • Provide short-term relief
    • Use in patients who decline injection therapy
    • Prednisone 20 mg daily for 10 to 14 days 
    • Do not use for more than 4 weeks due to adverse effects
  • Exercises
    • Refer to physical and occupational therapists with certification in hand therapy
      • Nerve and tendon gliding – may restore normal movement of the median nerve
      • Carpal bone mobilization – movement of the bones and joints in the wrist
  • Ultrasound therapy and electrical stimulation
    • Ultrasound promotes soft tissue healing and transdermal absorption of medications; however, evidence is limited
    • Deep, pulsed ultrasound may decrease pain and improve sensory loss, nerve conduction, and strength
    • Effectiveness may depend on duration of therapy
  • Ineffective therapies: nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), diuretics, vitamin B6, perineural dextrose injections, and electrical, magnetic, and laser therapy have not proven beneficial for the treatment of CTS.

Surgical Management (Kothari, 2022c)

  • Surgical Decompression
    • When electrodiagnostic tests show severe and ongoing median nerve injury, surgical decompression is recommended, unless the cause is temporary such as pregnancy.
    • Surgical release of the transverse carpal ligament is typically performed.
    • Studies support there is a greater treatment benefit of surgery over nonsurgical treatment at 6 and 12 months.
    • Performed in outpatient setting under local anesthesia by a specialist
    • Prophylactic antibiotics given prior to carpal tunnel release are not recommended as there is no evidence of a reduction in postoperative surgical site infections.
    • Studies support there is no benefit to routine postoperative immobilization following carpal tunnel release.
References:
Erickson, M., Lawrence, M., Stegink Jansen, C., Coker, D., Amadio, P., & Cleary, C. (2019). Clinical practice guidelines: Hand pain and sensory deficits: Carpal tunnel syndrome. Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy, 49(5), CPG1–CPG85. https://www.jospt.org/doi/full/10.2519/jospt.2019.0301

Kothari, M.J. (2022a, September 9). Carpal tunnel syndrome: Pathophysiology and risk factors. UpToDate. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/carpal-tunnel-syndrome-etiology-and-epidemiology

Kothari, M.J. (2022b, August 30). Carpal tunnel syndrome: Clinical manifestations and diagnosis. UpToDate. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/carpal-tunnel-syndrome-clinical-manifestations-and-diagnosis

Kothari, M.J. (2022c, September 9). Carpal tunnel syndrome: Treatment and prognosis. UpToDate. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/carpal-tunnel-syndrome-treatment-and-prognosis