Prior to making a carpal tunnel diagnosis, your healthcare provider will consider other conditions that share similar signs and symptoms. He or she will also perform a physical exam to look for symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome. In addition, a number of tests are used in diagnosing carpal tunnel syndrome, including a wrist flexion test and a nerve conduction study.
Diagnosing Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: An Overview
In order to make a diagnosis of
carpal tunnel syndrome, your healthcare provider will begin by asking a number of questions. This will include questions about:
He or she will also perform a physical exam, looking for signs and symptoms of
carpal tunnel syndrome. Your healthcare provider will examine the hands, arms, shoulders, and neck. He or she will also test the sensation in your fingers. A number of tests are also used to try and re-create symptoms. One of these tests is called a wrist flexion test. This test is positive when carpal tunnel symptoms appear within 60 seconds of flexing the wrists.
Early diagnosis and treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome are important to avoid permanent damage to the median nerve.
Other Tests for Diagnosing Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
If your healthcare provider is unsure of a carpal tunnel syndrome diagnosis, or if symptoms continue after treatment, he or she may recommend a nerve conduction study or electromyography (EMG). These tests are used to see how well the median nerve is functioning and where it might be damaged. A small percentage (up to 10 percent) of people with carpal tunnel syndrome will have normal test results.
In a nerve conduction study, electrodes are placed on the hand and wrist. Small electric shocks are applied, and the speed with which nerves transmit impulses is measured. In electromyography, a fine needle is inserted into a muscle; electrical activity viewed on a screen can determine the severity of damage to the median nerve.
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