Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS): clinical features
Written and reviewed by Dr Ibrahim Imam, Consultant Neurologist. Last reviewed .
Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS): clinical features. These involve the lateral 3 and a half fingers. Fully referenced neurology checklist.
Pain and paraesthesias
- These involve the lateral 3 and a half fingers
- They may involve the whole hand
- They may radiate up to shoulder
- They often wake the patient up from sleep
- They are worse with the arms raised
- They exacerbate with hand use
- They are relieved by flicking the hand: the flick sign
Other symptoms
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Clinical signs
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Provocative manoeuvres
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Peripheral differential diagnosis
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References
- Bland JDP. Carpal tunnel syndrome. BMJ 2007; 335:343-346.
- Ibrahim I, Khan WS, Goddard N, Smitham P. Carpal tunnel syndrome: a review of the recent literature. Open Orthop J 2012; 6:69-76.
- Practice parameter for carpal tunnel syndrome (summary statement). Report of the Quality Standards Subcommittee of the American Academy of Neurology. Neurology 1993; 43:2406-2409.
- Padua L, Coraci D, Erra C, et al. Carpal tunnel syndrome: clinical features, diagnosis, and management. Lancet Neurol 2016; 15:1273-1284.
- de Krom MCTFM, Knipschild PG, Spaans F, Kester ADM. Efficacy of provocative tests for diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome. Lancet 1990; 335:393-395.
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