How does one determine if Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is Affecting Symptoms from CMC Arthritis?
Symptoms from median nerve entrapment at the wrist, carpal tunnel syndrome, often overlap the symptoms from arthritic joint decay. However, an arthritic joint usually hurts with joint motion not at rest. Night pain in the wrist, especially that which awakens a person is usually the sign of CTS. Clumsiness often accompanying CTS is not characteristic of CMC DJD. Weakness commonly complained of is related to arthritic pain and possibly disuse or even an associated cubital tunnel problem-not CTS. A nerve conduction study (NCS) is the best way to definitively answer the question. It’s important to iron out all the abnormalities pre operatively so as to limit oneself to one visit to the operating room.
