What Tests Are Done to Confirm Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?
The classic findings on physical examination for carpal tunnel syndrome are a Tinel's and Phalen's test.
A Tinel's sign is performed by tapping the median nerve, where you'll feel electricity shoot down the thumb, index finger, middle finger, and a portion of your ring finger.
A Phalen's sign is similar, with the wrist held in a flexed position and electricity shooting down the thumb, index finger, middle finger, and a portion of the ring finger.
More severe cases have persistent pain that doesn't go away, even with splinting or therapy.
You may also have muscle wasting, which is where the muscles at the base of thumb start to atrophy, or become thinner.
An electromyogram (EMG)/ Nerve Conduction Velocity/ (NCV) test is the gold standard for CTS, simply because it links what you're feeling to what the doctor sees on the physical exam, as well as what the insurance company wants.
As a patient or doctor, you can always fudge a little with feelings in your hand.
Also, as an individual, you may feel pain, tingling, or numbness quite differently than other people.
The EMG/ NCV is an objective test that is machine based, so it can generate numbers that allow the doctor to compare your CTS/ carpal tunnel syndrome to other patients.
That way, the severity is known and can be treated accordingly.
Classic/ old school EMG/ electromyogram and NCV/ nerve conduction velocity testing uses needles to transmit electricity down the nerves to generate a response.
Granted, the needles are quite small and thin, but it's still a needle.
Also, the electricity generated is usually stronger and more painful.
Personally, I like using the "Neurometrix" system (shown above), which is a device that uses sticky pads on the hands, with the option of using needles.
The electricity that you feel is substantially less than with traditional EMG/ NCV, so it's more comfortable.
The results are sent over the internet to the server, so you typically get a result in 10 minutes or less.
This kind of test usually takes only about 10-15 minutes to give.
Before you have surgery, you should go over the test with your surgeon.
You can always get a 2nd opinion about the results as well.
As a surgeon, I'm not always eager to do surgery- sometimes the findings point to maximizing NON-surgical treatment before carpal tunnel surgery.
Every patient is different, so finding should be interpreted and compared to findings on physical examination.
A Tinel's sign is performed by tapping the median nerve, where you'll feel electricity shoot down the thumb, index finger, middle finger, and a portion of your ring finger.
A Phalen's sign is similar, with the wrist held in a flexed position and electricity shooting down the thumb, index finger, middle finger, and a portion of the ring finger.
More severe cases have persistent pain that doesn't go away, even with splinting or therapy.
You may also have muscle wasting, which is where the muscles at the base of thumb start to atrophy, or become thinner.
An electromyogram (EMG)/ Nerve Conduction Velocity/ (NCV) test is the gold standard for CTS, simply because it links what you're feeling to what the doctor sees on the physical exam, as well as what the insurance company wants.
As a patient or doctor, you can always fudge a little with feelings in your hand.
Also, as an individual, you may feel pain, tingling, or numbness quite differently than other people.
The EMG/ NCV is an objective test that is machine based, so it can generate numbers that allow the doctor to compare your CTS/ carpal tunnel syndrome to other patients.
That way, the severity is known and can be treated accordingly.
Classic/ old school EMG/ electromyogram and NCV/ nerve conduction velocity testing uses needles to transmit electricity down the nerves to generate a response.
Granted, the needles are quite small and thin, but it's still a needle.
Also, the electricity generated is usually stronger and more painful.
Personally, I like using the "Neurometrix" system (shown above), which is a device that uses sticky pads on the hands, with the option of using needles.
The electricity that you feel is substantially less than with traditional EMG/ NCV, so it's more comfortable.
The results are sent over the internet to the server, so you typically get a result in 10 minutes or less.
This kind of test usually takes only about 10-15 minutes to give.
Before you have surgery, you should go over the test with your surgeon.
You can always get a 2nd opinion about the results as well.
As a surgeon, I'm not always eager to do surgery- sometimes the findings point to maximizing NON-surgical treatment before carpal tunnel surgery.
Every patient is different, so finding should be interpreted and compared to findings on physical examination.
