Carpal Tunnel Evaluation

If you have been experiencing pain, weakness, or numbness in your fingers, hands, or your wrist, you may have carpal tunnel canal syndrome. In order to receive an official diagnosis of this condition, you will need to have a doctor evaluation.

When you visit your doctor to determine whether or not you have this condition, the professional will allow you to expound on your symptoms. They will then inquire about the medical history that you have. Additionally, they may inquire about the medical history of close family members. In this guide, you will learn what to expect from the carpal tunnel doctor examination. 

The Hand Examination 

Once the doctor has documented the symptoms that you have been experiencing as well as your medical history, there will be a hand evaluation. The evaluation may prove to be a bit uncomfortable, but it is necessary in order to determine whether or not further diagnostic tests are required. The following steps will likely be performed: 

1.      First, it will need to be established as to whether or not you are experiencing weakness in the area around the thumb of your hand. There are muscles here that may be impacted in a negative fashion if carpal tunnel is being experienced because of the fact that the median nerve sends signals to these muscles. If this nerve is compressed, then the signals are essential interrupted. 

2.      You may be required to bend the wrist in several different directions. The doctor will ask you if you are experiencing the sensation of pain. You will also be asked if there is tingling or any type of numbness being experienced. 

3.      Many doctors will have you close your eyes or they will have you look away while they touch certain fingers and regions of the hand. They will be working to determine whether or not you are able to feel the areas that they touch. 

4.      The median nerve is often the center of attention when it comes to the doctor evaluation to determine if carpal tunnel is an issue. Once located, the doctor will likely press down on it, tap it, or press against it in order to determine if there is any numbness, tingling, or sensations of pain. 

Testing 

If the doctor that conducts the hand evaluation determines that you may have carpal tunnel, you will be sent for additional tests. One of the first tests issued for the complication are X-Rays. This is typically issued when there is a limited range of mobility in the wrist. In addition to this, you may be subjected to electrical based tests. Neurologists often refer to these are "Electrophysiological Tests".

These tests work to establish the basic functionality of the median nerve. These tests are generally the ones that actually confirm whether or not you have carpal tunnel. As you can see, the doctor evaluation is actually quite simple. Though it may be uncomfortable to determine if you have carpal tunnel, a confirmation will allow you to get the treatments that you need for relief.