What Can Cause Carpal Tunnel Symptoms in Just One Hand?
If your carpal tunnel symptoms are only in one hand it is called “unilateral.” Unilateral means on one side. I would guess that most often one-sided symptoms might happen from an accident or from stretching to reach a mouse or using a tool in a way which strains arm muscles and causes hand pain. But something else can cause unilateral carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). It doesn’t happen often, but sometimes there is a growth in the palm side of the hand. Sometimes such a growth can create less space for the median nerve–it causes pressure on the nerve. Anything that presses on the median nerve (the nerve that runs through the opening in your wrist) can cause symptoms. The growth may be called a “mass” or a lipoma. It’s generally fatty tissue and wouldn’t be a problem at all unless it causes symptoms of pain, burning, numbness or tingling for you. The connective tissue on your palm is very tough and thick. That can prevent you or your doctor from being able to feel the mass. But if you have
