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Imaging Tests for

Diagnosing Carpal
Tunnel

Imaging Tests for

Diagnosing Carpal Tunnel

Medical Imaging

Although carpal tunnel syndrome affects up to

6% of the adult population, there are still many
questions surrounding the condition and its
diagnosis. Many people with wrist pain wonder
what causes carpal tunnel and what kind of
tests can identify the issue. Fortunately, there
are a variety of ways to figure out whether wrist
and hand discomfort can be attributed to
carpal tunnel.

We’ll cover what carpal tunnel syndrome is,

common symptoms, how to test for carpal
tunnel and carpal tunnel prevention tips.
Getting a reliable carpal tunnel diagnosis is one
of the best ways to stop the condition from
worsening.

What Is Carpal Tunnel

Syndrome

Carpal tunnel syndrome occurs from

excessive pressure on the median nerve — the
main nerve of the front forearm. The carpal
tunnel itself is a narrow passageway surrounded
by ligaments and bones on the palm side of the
hand, which the median nerve travels through.
When this area becomes inflamed from
repetitive or strenuous hand motions and
overuse, the median nerve gets compressed.
This compression can cause a variety of
symptoms.

Typically, carpal tunnel symptoms are mild to

start and gradually grow more intense
— especially if left undiagnosed. The following
are the most common carpal tunnel syndrome
signs and symptoms:

Tingling: An odd tingling sensation in the

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fingers or hand is one of the earliest signs

of carpal tunnel. Usually, the tingling
affects the index, middle, ring fingers or
thumb, but not the little finger. In more
severe cases of carpal tunnel, the sensation
in these fingers may feel similar to an
electric shock. More progressive cases may
also experience tingling farther up the
wrist and into the arm, not just the fingers.

Numbness: Along with tingling, the fingers

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or hand may feel completely numb at

times. Oftentimes, the numbness will set in
while holding an object like a phone,
newspaper or steering wheel. Over time,
the numbness may become constant.

Weakness: The numbness in the fingers or

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hand may lead to weakness and dropping

objects when trying to pick them up.
Because the thumb’s pinching muscles are
directly connected to the median nerve,
carpal tunnel syndrome may cause
weakness in a large part of the hand.

Common Ways Doctors

Test for Carpal Tunnel

If you begin to experience carpal tunnel

symptoms that interrupt your normal sleeping
pattern and daily activities, it may be time to
consult with a medical professional. Because
carpal tunnel can result in permanent nerve and
muscle damage when left untreated, It is
important to diagnose the syndrome as early as
possible.

When you see a doctor, there are several carpal

tunnel tests they may conduct. Here are five of
the most common methods for diagnosing
carpal tunnel syndrome:

1. Tinel’s Sign

During this test, the doctor uses a reflex

hammer to tap or press on the wrist’s median
nerve. If the fingers tingle or experience a mild
electric shock feeling, then the test is positive
and the patient may have carpal tunnel
syndrome.

2. Phalen’s Maneuver

Also referred to as the wrist-flexion test,

Phalen’s maneuver involves the patient pressing
the backs of their hands and fingers together
with their wrists flexed and fingers pointed
toward the ground. Once in this position, the
patient will hold steady for a minute or two. If
the fingers tingle or go numb during this time,
the patient has carpal tunnel syndrome.

3. The Two-Point Discrimination

Test

As its name suggests, the two-point

discrimination test reveals if a patient can tell
whether two objects touching their skin are two
distinct points as opposed to just one. To
conduct this test, a doctor may use a device
known as a 2-point discriminator, which is a
small, flat tool with eight sides and needle-like
prongs protruding from each of them.

The test begins with two points touching the

skin a few centimeters apart from each other
before moving the points closer together until
only one point of pressure is felt. This
procedure may be done multiple times on each
finger to get a more accurate diagnosis. The
distance at which only a singular point of
pressure can be felt will tell the doctor more
about the patient’s nerve function and
compression, which will help determine
whether they have carpal tunnel.

4. The Nerve Conduction Velocity

Test

The nerve conduction velocity test is one of the

most dependable ways to diagnose carpal
tunnel syndrome. By measuring how fast an
electrical signal travels along the forearm’s
nerve or from the nerve to a muscle, this test
can produce reliable evidence of the syndrome.

To start the nerve conduction velocity test, the

doctor will place a small electrode on the
patient’s skin close to the elbow. The electrode
will then send a mild electrical current down the
patient’s median nerve. The longer it takes for
the current to pass from the patient’s elbow to
their fingers, the more damage their median
nerve has sustained.

5. Electromyogram

Similar to the second portion of a nerve

conduction velocity test, an electromyogram
measures how well the muscle tissue
surrounding the median nerve functions. The
test involves placing a small needle electrode
into the muscles that receive impulses from the
median nerve, then sending an electrical
impulse into the muscles. By observing the
patient flex and relax their hand during the test,
a doctor can determine whether the median
nerve is damaged or getting compressed.

Diagnostic Imaging Tests

for Carpal Tunnel

For a more reliable carpal tunnel diagnosis, a

medical professional may call for an imaging
test. By providing a clear picture of the
forearm’s tissues and ligaments, an imaging test
can help doctors determine the underlying
cause of wrist and hand pain easily. These are
the three main imaging tests for carpal tunnel
syndrome:

Ultrasound: A carpal tunnel ultrasound is

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often used to detect structural

abnormalities, such as swelling or
compression, in the median nerve and the
soft tissues around it.

MRI: Like an ultrasound, a carpal tunnel

!

MRI provides a detailed look inside the

body to reveal whether the median nerve is
swollen or compressed, along with why the
nerve is being squeezed.

X-ray: Although an x-ray can’t show carpal

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tunnel, it can rule out other causes. If it is

uncertain whether carpal tunnel syndrome
is the root issue, an x-ray can help the
doctor assess whether a bone fracture or
arthritis is really to blame for the patient’s
acute wrist pain.

Tips for Preventing Carpal

Tunnel

Although carpal tunnel syndrome can be hard

to prevent, there are some simple lifestyle
changes that can decrease a person’s chances
of developing the condition. Here are some of
the most effective ways to avoid a carpal tunnel
diagnosis:

Workstation changes: Practicing proper

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seating, hand and wrist placement can save

the medial nerve from unnecessary stress.

Straightening the wrists: Sleeping with

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straight wrists as well as keeping the wrists

straight when using tools can combat
carpal tunnel.

Resist repetitive motions: Refraining from

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flexing and extending the wrists repeatedly

along with decreasing repetitive grasping
motions can prevent the onset of carpal
tunnel.

Resting: Taking frequent breaks from

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activities that require repeated wrist flexion

as well as adequately warming up before
and after these activities will help avoid
damaging the median nerve.

Monitoring medical conditions: Properly

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treating conditions commonly associated

with carpal tunnel, such as diabetes, can
keep the chances of developing the
syndrome low.

Schedule an Appointment
for Your Imaging Test at
Health Images

If you’re ready for clear answers about your

wrist and hand pain, book an imaging test
appointment at Health Images. Health Images
offers immediate turnaround times so you can
have high-quality, accurate results from your
imaging test within hours of leaving the center.
Along with fast results, we provide flexible and
quick scheduling options to meet your needs.

For more information or to schedule your

appointment, find the Health Images location
nearest you today.

Sources

1. https://www.aafp.org/afp/2011/0415/p952.html

2. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-
conditions/carpal-tunnel-
syndrome/symptoms-causes/syc-20355603

3. https://www.sports-health.com/sports-
injuries/hand-and-wrist-injuries/diagnosing-
carpal-tunnel-syndrome

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