Carpal Tunnel Syndrome or CTS

This condition is characterized by painful burning snesation and/or numbness in the palm of the hand and fingers. The median nerve, which serves sensation in the palm of the hand, and movement of small muscles in the hand, is compressed at the wrist. The nerve is pinched between underlying ligaments and bones of the wrist and an overlying, tough ligament, the transverse carpel ligament. Patients complain of tingling in the palm, and sometimes aching and burning. Characteristically the numbness awakes the patient at night, or is present with repetitive use of the hand. Pain may radiate up the arm toward the shoulder.