Carpal tunnel syndrome presents with numbness in which digits?

Carpal tunnel syndrome presents with numbness in which digits?

• A. Thumb, index finger, middle finger
• B. Little finger
• C. Ring finger
• D. Dorsal hand only

Answer: (A)

Compression of the median nerve at the carpal tunnel produces numbness in the palmar surfaces of the thumb, index finger, and middle finger (and the radial side of the ring finger). This distribution matches the sensory area of the median nerve in the hand, so numbness in these digits is the classic presentation of carpal tunnel syndrome. The little finger is supplied by the ulnar nerve and is unaffected, and numbness limited to the dorsal hand does not reflect the typical CTS pattern.

Compression of the median nerve at the carpal tunnel produces numbness in the palmar surfaces of the thumb, index finger, and middle finger (and the radial side of the ring finger). This distribution matches the sensory area of the median nerve in the hand, so numbness in these digits is the classic presentation of carpal tunnel syndrome. The little finger is supplied by the ulnar nerve and is unaffected, and numbness limited to the dorsal hand does not reflect the typical CTS pattern.