Likely Condition

Carpal tunnel Syndrome

Gender

More common in females

Age range

Usually over 30

Hand Dominance

No difference

Occupation

No proven links

Symptoms

Pins and needles in thumb, middle and ring fingers

Wake from sleep and shake hand to gain relief

Physical examination

Pressure over the front of the wrist by your doctors thumb and fingers may reproduce your symptoms, particularly if your wrist is bent forward (modified Phalen's test)

Investigations

Nerve conduction studies

Non operative treatment

Splintage

Carpal tunnel injections usually only temporary

Operative treatment

Open surgical release of the carpal tunnel

Operative time

10 minutes

Likely success

Very high

Complications

Rare, but include infection (<1%), damage to nerves (<2%), scar tenderness (5%) and failure to resolve symptoms (5%, less if pre-operative nerve conduction studies positive)