Tag: hand numbness

Carpal tunnel syndrome results from compression (pinching) of the median nerve. The compression can be caused by swelling of tissue around or in the tunnel or by bands of fibrous tissue that form on the palm side of the wrist.

The symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome are odd sensations, numbness, tingling, and pain in the first three fingers and half of the fourth finger on the thumb side of the hand. Sometimes the entire hand may be affected. Occasionally, there is also pain and a burning or tingling sensation in the forearm. Burning or aching pain with numbness and tingling often wake people at night because of the way the hand is positioned. The person may shake the hand to try to restore normal feeling. With time, the muscles in the hand on the thumb side can weaken and shrink through lack of use (atrophy).