How Is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Diagnosed?
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is diagnosed through a combination of medical history, physical examination, and specific diagnostic tests. During the physical exam, a doctor may perform the Tinel test, gently tapping on the median nerve to see if it causes tingling in the fingers, or the Phalen test, having the patient bend the wrist forward for about a minute to check if this position causes symptoms. These tests help in assessing the severity of the condition. If these tests are inconclusive, further diagnostic studies such as electromyography, which measures muscle electrical activity, and nerve conduction studies, which assess how electrical impulses move through the median nerve, may be conducted. These tests are effective in confirming the diagnosis and determining the extent of nerve damage, guiding appropriate treatment plans.
