Once you present with symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome your healthcare provider will begin a medical work up to either diagnose or rule out carpal tunnel syndrome. Testing for carpal tunnel includes imagine and physical exam by medical provider.

Imaging: to look at the radial nerve, in carpal tunnel you will often see swelling of the area around the nerve and/or compression of the nerve

• Electromygram (EMG)
• Nerve conduction studies
• X-ray of wrist

Physical exam : includes the phalnes and tinels tests

• Phalens test: place hands back to back upside down for 60 seconds, tingling and pain will be produced in those with carpal tunnel
• Tinels: tap the inside of the wrist over the radial nerve, pain or tingling will occur in those with carpal tunnel

Treatment: for carpal tunnel begins with lifestyle changes and pain medication

• Limit activity that produces symptoms
• Splint the hand and forearm
• Medications
  • NSAIDS (Advil or Motrin) to reduce inflammation and pain
  • Steroid injections at 6 week intervals to reduce inflammation and pain

Surgical treatment: may be needed if lifestyle changes and rest do not improve symptoms

• Surgery for those who are not experiencing relief with limited activity and medications
• Release the transverse carpal ligament
  • 10% will not respond due to nerve damage