Many people quickly blame carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) for hand and wrist pain, but that’s not always the only reason. One common condition often misdiagnosed as CTS is something called ESS, which can lead to improper treatment if not identified correctly.
In general, chronic low-grade inflammation is linked to serious health issues like certain cancers and heart disease. Tendonitis, a very familiar condition affecting the wrist and hand, occurs when tendons—those crucial cords connecting muscles to bones—become inflamed. This can happen either to the flexor tendons that help bend the fingers or the extensor tendons that open them.
Symptoms Resembling CTS: Tendonitis can bring similar symptoms to CTS, such as pain, tenderness, and weakness. These symptoms typically worsen with repetitive wrist and hand movements, much like in CTS patients. However, tendonitis pain is usually more localized, occurring right at the inflamed tendon.
For example, De Quervain’s tenosynovitis, a type of tendonitis, specifically affects the tendons at the base of the thumb, causing significant pain on the thumb side of the wrist. In contrast, CTS often causes pain and numbness in the thumb, index finger, middle finger, and part of the ring finger.
The timing and nature of symptoms can also differ between these conditions. CTS symptoms often flare up at night, causing numbness and tingling that can disrupt sleep, whereas tendonitis-related discomfort might last throughout the day.
Another condition to consider is cervical radiculopathy, which may sound complex but simply involves compressed nerves in the neck. The cervical spine contains nerves that reach down to your arm and hand, and when a nerve root is pinched—due to things like a herniated disc or bone spurs—it triggers pain, numbness, and weakness that can travel to the arm and hand.
Symptoms Resembling CTS: Cervical radiculopathy can mimic CTS by causing hand pain, numbness, or weakness. Unlike CTS, however, the discomfort often extends from the neck down the arm, potentially accompanied by neck pain or stiffness and sometimes weakness in the arm or shoulder, which are not typical CTS symptoms.
When persistent hand or wrist pain interrupts daily life, it’s important to see a doctor for a correct diagnosis. They will review your medical history, perform a physical exam, and may order tests like X-rays or nerve conduction studies. This thorough assessment is vital for receiving the right treatment for your specific condition. So, while CTS might seem like the obvious culprit, a detailed evaluation can identify the true cause of your discomfort.
