
Both Carpal tunnel syndrome and arthritis conditions cause wrist pain, loss of grip, and deterioration in hand strength. It is crucial to determine the source of hand impairment to provide appropriate treatment.
Carpal tunnel syndrome and arthritis have different etiologies; thus, they manifest differently in the hand. It is challenging to identify whether it is carpal tunnel syndrome or arthritis.
To diagnose, your doctor may subject you to physical examination, radiological tests, and neurological evaluation, which may help determine the cause of the impairment.
Tests to determine the presence of carpal tunnel syndrome
Physical examinations
A physical examination involves a thorough examination of your hand, wrist, shoulder, and neck to rule out other potential reasons for nerve pressure. Your doctor will examine your wrists for soreness, swelling, and abnormalities. They will examine the feeling in your fingers and the strength of the muscles in your hand.
- Tinel’s sign: The doctor taps the median nerve at the wrist to examine if it causes tingling in the fingers.
- Wrist flexion test (or Phalen test): You rest your elbows on a table and let the wrist slip forward freely. In the case of carpal tunnel syndrome, you may notice numbness and tingling in your fingers within 60 seconds. The severity of carpal tunnel syndrome increases the rapidity of the onset of symptoms.
- Two-point discrimination test: When severe carpal tunnel syndrome is suspected, this test is performed. This test is not accurate for moderate carpal tunnel syndrome. Your doctor will ask you to close your eyes and then, use tiny devices, such as the tops of two opened paper clips, to touch two places on your hand or finger that are relatively close together. Separate touches are often felt when two spots are at least 0.5 cm apart. In severe carpal tunnel syndrome, you may not be able to distinguish between the two touches, making it appear as though only one spot is being touched.
Radiological tests
- X-rays: If you have restricted wrist motion or pain, your doctor may request X-rays to rule out other possible reasons, such as arthritis, ligament damage, or a fracture.
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI): MRI scans are more accurate than X-rays in capturing pictures of the body's soft tissues. An MRI may be ordered by your doctor to evaluate possible reasons for your symptoms or search for abnormal tissues that might be affecting the median nerve. MRI can help your doctor determine whether there are any issues with the nerve itself, such as a tumor or scarring from an accident.
- Ultrasound: Ultrasound imaging employs high-frequency sound waves to make images of bone and tissue. Your doctor may advise you to get an ultrasound of your wrist to check for evidence of median nerve compression.
Electrophysiological tests
- Nerve conduction studies: Nerve conduction studies are diagnostic examinations that assess the speed at which your nerve impulses travel. Carpal tunnel syndrome occurs when the nerve impulse is slower than normal because it travels through the hand.
- Electromyography (EMG): An EMG test detects the electrical activity in muscles. EMG measures the function of the median nerve and how well it governs muscle action and reveals the presence of nerve or muscle damage.

QUESTION
The term arthritis refers to stiffness in the joints. See AnswerTests done to diagnose arthritis
Physical examination
The doctor will inquire about your symptoms and how joint discomfort impacts your daily life. A physical exam will be performed by your physician, which may include:
- Assessing joint mobility and range of motion
- Examine your joints for areas of soreness or edema
- Evaluating your general health to see whether another issue is affecting your symptoms
Radiological tests
Imaging exams can offer your doctor a detailed view of your bones, joints, and soft tissues. X-rays, magnetic resonance imaging, and ultrasounds can reveal:
- Joint discomfort caused by bone fractures or dislocations
- Degeneration of cartilage surrounding your joints
- Injuries to your muscles, ligaments, or tendons around your joints
- Inflammation of soft tissues
Blood tests
No blood test can identify arthritis. However, if your doctor suspects gout or rheumatoid arthritis, you may undergo blood tests to look for Rh factor or anticyclic citrullinated peptide (anti-CCP) antibodies test. They may look for blood uric acid levels and inflammatory proteins present in the blood.
Patients with rheumatoid arthritis often exhibit high erythrocyte sedimentation rate or C-reactive protein levels, which may suggest the existence of an inflammatory process in the body.
If blood tests reveal high uric acid levels, you may have gout. However, high uric acid in the blood does not necessarily indicate gout; the doctor considers clinical signs to diagnose the condition.
What is carpal tunnel syndrome?
Carpal tunnel syndrome is a common ailment that produces tingling, numbness, and discomfort in the hand and forearm. The median nerve is one of the principal nerves of the hand that provides sensory intervention to the palm and fingers, except for the pinky finger and half of the ring finger. If the median nerve is compressed during its course through the wrist, it leads to carpal tunnel syndrome.
Carpal tunnel syndrome worsens with time in most cases. If left untreated for too long, it can result in irreversible hand dysfunction, including loss of feeling in the fingers and weakening. As a result, it is crucial to detect and treat carpal tunnel syndrome as soon as possible.
Early symptoms are frequently addressed by simple actions, such as:
- Sleeping with a wrist splint
- Exercises to keep the nerve mobile
- Avoiding activities that exacerbate your symptoms
- Injection of steroids into the carpal tunnel.
However, continued pressure on the median nerve can result in nerve injury and worsened symptoms. For certain individuals, surgery may be done to relieve pressure on the median nerve to prevent permanent damage.
9 symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome
- Numbness, burning, and discomfort in all the fingers except the pinky finger; this frequently awakens individuals up in the middle of the night
- Tingling sensation in the fingertips
- Reduced sensation in the fingers
- Shock-like feelings that spread to the thumb, index, middle, and ring fingers on occasion
- Tingling or pain that travels up the forearm toward the shoulder
- Swollen feeling in the fingers
- Hand weakness and clumsiness can make fine actions, such as buttoning your garments difficult
- Dropping objects because of muscle weakness and loss of grip, numbness, or a lack of proprioception (awareness of where your hand is in space)
- Difficulty utilizing your hand for tasks, such as:
- Handling small things
- Driving and grasping the steering wheel
- Holding a book to read
- Writing
- Using a computer keyboard
What is arthritis?
Arthritis is inflammation of joints and can affect practically any bone of the body. Most commonly the hip, knee, spine, or other weight-bearing joints are affected, but it can affect the fingers and other non-weight-bearing joints.
Inflammation of joints leads to redness and swelling that causes pain and stiffness. If left untreated, inflammation can cause considerable and sometimes, irreversible damage to the affected regions, resulting in loss of function and impairment.
Arthritis refers to a collection of numerous disorders, such as osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory arthritis, and more. These cause inflammation in the joints or other parts of the body.
19 symptoms of arthritis
- Inflammation of the joints
- Pain, stiffness, and tenderness of the joints
- Joint stiffness that worsens in the mornings and after inactivity
- Swelling and warm skin over the affected joint
- Red eyes and mouth ulcers
- Reduced range of motion
- Loss of appetite
- Restricted range of motion that occasionally disappears after movement
- Clicking or popping with bending
- Muscular weakness surrounding the joint
- Joint instability
- Bony growths in the fingers
- Grating or scraping sensation in the knees
- Morning stiffness that might last 30 minutes or longer, beginning in smaller joints, such as the feet and hands
- Both sides of the body are affected by the same joints
- Fatigue
- Fever
- Heart muscle and blood vessel inflammation
- Red blood cell count is low
Subscribe to MedicineNet's Arthritis Newsletter
By clicking "Submit," I agree to the MedicineNet Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy. I also agree to receive emails from MedicineNet and I understand that I may opt out of MedicineNet subscriptions at any time.
Can there be any association between carpal tunnel syndrome and arthritis?
Carpal tunnel syndrome is caused by median nerve compression and does not cause any type of arthritis. In contrast, arthritis, which causes joint inflammation, can produce inflammation and swelling in the tissue around the affected joints.
The median nerve, which runs through the carpal tunnel in the wrist, is compressed due to structural abnormalities, thickening of the tendinous band in the area, repeated friction at the wrist, or nerve swelling, resulting in carpal tunnel syndrome.
Arthritis leads to the following changes, which cause compression of the median nerve leading to carpal tunnel syndrome:
- The joints of small bones in the wrist (carpals) around the carpal tunnel develop boney projections secondary to arthritis. This causes compression of the median nerve and leads to carpal tunnel syndrome.
- Swelling in the wrist compresses the median nerve.
- Swelling of the tendons in the carpal tunnel can cause compression of the median nerve.
From 
Arthritis Resources
Featured Centers
Health Solutions From Our Sponsors
Mount Sinai. Carpal tunnel syndrome. https://www.mountsinai.org/health-library/diseases-conditions/carpal-tunnel-syndrome
American Academy of Family Physicians. What is carpal tunnel syndrome? https://familydoctor.org/condition/carpal-tunnel-syndrome/
Arthritis Foundation. What Is Arthritis? https://www.arthritis.org/health-wellness/about-arthritis/understanding-arthritis/what-is-arthritis
Top How Do I Know If It's Carpal Tunnel or Arthritis Related Articles
Arthritis (Joint Inflammation)
Arthritis is inflammation of one or more joints. When joints are inflamed they can develop stiffness, warmth, swelling, redness and pain. There are over 100 types of arthritis, including osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, psoriatic arthritis, and gout.Arthritis: 16 Bad Habits That Cause Joint Pain
Being overweight, wearing uncomfortable shoes, or carrying a heavy purse can make joint pain and arthritis symptoms worse. Some bad habits increase inflammation and put you at risk of osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Protect joints and muscles and prevent swelling and joint disorders by eliminating these joint problem bad habits.Physical and Occupational Therapy for Arthritis
Physical therapy can help a patient with arthritis to work out stiffness without damaging their joints. Occupational therapy teaches the patient how to reduce joint strain during daily activities. Those receiving occupational or physical therapy will learn about their arthritis, be given a dietary plan if they are overweight, get foot care advice, and learn methods of relieving discomfort.Arthritis: Supplements for Joint Pain
Can supplements help relieve joint pain and swelling? Find out how certain compounds may aid your stiff, tender joints.Can Carpal Tunnel Go Away?
With proper and timely treatment carpal tunnel can go away in mild to moderate cases.Can Rheumatoid Arthritis Cause Carpal Tunnel?
Carpal tunnel syndrome is one of the common complications of rheumatoid arthritis. Learn the symptoms, causes, diagnosis, and treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome.Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Carpal tunnel syndrome is a condition in which irritation of the wrist's median nerve causes tingling and numbness of the thumb, index, and middle fingers. Treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome depends on the severity of the symptoms and the nature of any disease that might be causing the symptoms.Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
A type of compression neuropathy (nerve damage) caused by compression and irritation of the median nerve in the wrist. See a picture of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and learn more about the health topic.Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: Causes, Symptoms, Surgery, and Treatment
Carpal tunnel syndrome symptoms like pain, numbness, tingling, and weakness may need treatment. Carpal tunnel surgery is reserved for those who do not get relief from exercises, stretches, home remedies, wrist braces, and medication.Carpal Tunnel Quiz
Who is more affected by carpal tunnel syndrome: Men or women? Take the Carpal Tunnel Quiz to learn the causes, symptoms, and treatments for this common hand condition.How Can You Live With Arthritis in Your Back?
Arthritis in the back can be extremely painful and in some cases debilitating. However, effective ways to manage and live with the condition.OA & Your Joints
Dealing with joint pain and arthritis? Learn why weight matters--and why NOT to stretch before exercise. See these solutions for joint pain and tips to protect your joints from damage.What Autoimmune Diseases Cause Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?
Carpal tunnel syndrome can be an isolated episode, or sometimes, it is one of the initial signs of certain autoimmune conditions. Learn some of the autoimmune conditions that can cause CTS.What Foods Trigger Arthritis Attacks?
Exercising regularly and eating a healthy diet can help you manage arthritis. Learn which foods to avoid and which foods to eat with arthritis.What Is the Best Treatment for Arthritis?
Arthritis refers to the inflammation of the joints. It presents as pain and swelling of the joints in the body. Painkillers, along with physical therapy, is usually considered the best treatment for arthritis in the early stages. Natural remedies and medications may also be used to treat arthritis, while surgery for arthritis is an option when a patient can't resume normal activities.Which Foods Make Arthritis Worse?
Foods that may worsen arthritis include processed foods, salt, red meat, and alcohol. Check out the center below for more medical references on arthritis, including multimedia (slideshows, images, and quizzes), related disease conditions, treatment and diagnosis, medications, and prevention or wellness.