This happens when your median nerve gets compressed at your wrist. It’s called Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS). It causes numbness and pain in your thumb, index, long and sometimes your ring finger. This wakes people up at night, hurts while driving a car or holding a phone.

We don’t know why people get CTS. Using vibrating tools can cause CTS. Typing does not cause CTS but makes your fingers hurt if you already have CTS.

Treatment includes anti-inflammatories like ibuprofen and wearing a wrist cockup splint at night. I do not recommend cortisone injections.

Diagnosis is made by your physician. If conservative treatment fails, endoscopic surgery is a good option: “Surgery Friday, back to desk work Monday.”

Walker Wynkoop, MD

Walker Wynkoop MD lives in Los Banos and is a Board-Certified Orthopedic Surgeon with 30 years experience. He works at Surgical Affiliates of California. Please email questions to: Doc@Wynmd.com.