How is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome diagnosed?
The diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome is often made by the physician based on an accurate description of the symptoms. During physical examination, testing may identify weakness of the muscles supplied by the median nerve in the hand including some thumb muscles affected by the syndrome. There may be decreased sensation in the hand to pin prick or light touch. Bending the wrist to 90 degrees for one minute may cause symptoms to appear in the hand (Phalen test) or tapping on the wrist with a reflex hammer may cause an electric shock-like sensation (Tinel Sign). Late in the disease, there may be thinning of the muscles or muscle atrophy at the base of the thumb. The diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome can be confirmed with a nerve conduction velocity study, which is an electrical stimulation test. In recent years, diagnostic ultrasonography and MRI scans have been used to help diagnose CTS and exclude other causes of hand and wrist symptoms.
