The Link Between Rheumatoid Arthritis and Carpal Tunnel
Why early diagnosis is so important
The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons suggests that carpal tunnel syndrome only worsens over time if left undiagnosed and untreated. Therefore, it is important for patients to be diagnosed early and for treatment plans to begin taking place immediately to decrease the pressure on the median nerve and reduce symptoms.
Dr. Kohler says that one of the most common symptoms that doctors use to diagnose carpal tunnel syndrome is tingling or numbness in the hand when touched. Another common symptom is a feeling like an electrical sensation when the nerve in the wrist is tapped or touched.