Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
If your hands tingle and you wake up at night, it could be carpal tunnel syndrome.
Numbness in the thumb to middle finger, with symptoms that worsen at night.
Carpal tunnel syndrome is caused by the compression of a nerve in the carpal tunnel of the wrist. It is typically characterized by numbness and tingling in the thumb, index finger, and middle finger, which worsens at night and may cause awakenings. Shaking the hand often provides relief. It is common in professions that require repetitive hand movements, among middle-aged women, during pregnancy, and in individuals with diabetes.
- In the early stages, it can be improved with a wrist brace (especially worn at night), reducing strain on the wrist, and medication.
- Diagnosis is confirmed through nerve conduction studies performed by an orthopedic surgeon (hand surgery specialist) or neurologist.
Source: 질병관리청 국가건강정보포털 · as of 2026-08-13
Signs that indicate surgery cannot be postponed.
If numbness is left untreated for a long time and nerve damage progresses, the muscles below the thumb can atrophy, making it difficult to use chopsticks or button clothes. At this stage, even if surgery is performed, recovery will be slow. Therefore, if you start experiencing diminished sensation or weakness, do not delay surgery (a simple ligament incision, same-day surgery). It's important to differentiate this from numbness caused by a cervical disc herniation, as the latter typically affects the entire shoulder and arm area.
Frequently asked questions
Is this caused by using the mouse a lot?
The correlation between computer work and the condition may not be as clear-cut as one might think, but prolonged work in a wrist-bent position can worsen symptoms. Adjust your desk and mouse height to keep your wrists in a neutral position, and stretch frequently.
Can it be treated with injections?
Steroid injections may provide temporary relief, but recurrence is common. Instead of repeated injections, the treatment approach should be determined based on the severity of symptoms, typically progressing from conservative treatment to surgery.
Sources for this page
· 질병관리청 국가건강정보포털 (as of 2026-08-13)Last checked: 2026년 8월 13일
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