Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: Beyond The Keyboard And Desk
Orthopedics General Health & Wellness
July 10, 2025
When you hear “carpal tunnel syndrome,” you might picture someone typing at a computer. But the reality is, carpal tunnel can strike far beyond the office. Those of you who work in construction, manufacturing and other hands-on professions are often at greater risk.
What Is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?
Carpal tunnel syndrome is one of the most common work-related injuries. Carpal tunnel occurs when the median nerve, which runs from your forearm to your palm, becomes compressed in the narrow carpal tunnel of the wrist. This causes swelling of the ligaments and bones in the wrist, leading to nerve compression.
What Are Symptoms Of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?
Common symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome range from mild occasional numbness or tingling in the fingers to hand weakness, loss of feeling, extreme night pain and loss of hand function – especially in the thumb, index and middle fingers.
Nighttime pain that wakes you up is a common warning sign. As the condition progresses, you might notice clumsiness, dropping objects or trouble with fine motor skills like buttoning a shirt.
"What people commonly feel is pain in the wrist or fingers, or what's called paresthesia, sort of that pins and needles feeling that people feel when their foot falls asleep, for example but it's in a very characteristic distribution in carpal tunnel syndrome," said Richard Makowiec, MD, an independent orthopedic surgeon in Noblesville who chooses to practice at Franciscan Health.
"It really involves the thumb, the index finger, the long finger and half of the ring finger. Those are the digits that are innovated by the median nerve, and that's the one that's implicated in carpal tunnel syndrome. The remainder of the hand is innervated by the ulnar nerve and radial nerve. So, they don't exhibit symptoms in that distribution and frequently what people will experience is very discomforting pain in that distribution. Nighttime symptoms can frequently awaken them from their sleep. And that's one of the primary things that drives people to see us. If the disease progresses, you'll start to see other things, like weakness in the hand, clumsiness and a loss of coordination. Things like doing a shirt button can even become complicated."
What Puts Me At Risk For Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?
Motions associated with a risk of developing carpal tunnel syndrome include high-force hammering, long-term use, extreme wrist motions and vibration.
Some people are naturally at a higher risk for carpal tunnel. Women – especially those aged 45–54 – are up to three times more likely to develop carpal tunnel than men. Hormonal changes during pregnancy or menopause, as well as conditions like diabetes, obesity and rheumatoid arthritis can also increase your risk.
“Early diagnosis and treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome are crucial to prevent permanent nerve damage,” said John Bauman, MD, a Lafayette, Indiana, board-certified hand and upper extremity surgeon who chooses to practice at Franciscan Health. “I recommend to my patients that they come to see me for an evaluation as soon as symptoms appear.”
How Is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Treated?
Treatment for carpal tunnel syndrome usually starts with rest, wrist splints or steroid injections.
In more severe cases, a surgical procedure called carpal tunnel release may be needed.
“I perform minimally invasive carpal tunnel release surgery, which means less pain, a smaller incision and a faster recovery for patients,” Dr. Bauman said. “Most people can return to normal activities quickly, often within days after surgery.”
The good news is that early treatment can be very effective. Most people recover fully and get back to their normal activities.
But don’t ignore the signs. Whether you’re a hairdresser spending hours cutting, blow drying and styling clients’ hair or working in a job that demands use of your hands for repetitive tasks, carpal tunnel syndrome can affect anyone. If you notice these symptoms, make an appointment for an evaluation. Prompt care for possible symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome can often prevent the need for surgery.
