Numbness/Tingling Fingers

This morning I woke up and my fingers were tingling. I'm at work right now, typing, and they are STILL tingling (feels like they are "asleep") I am experiencing this on both hands, predominately index,middle, and ring fingers...no pinkie or thumb numbness. Any advice? I'm only 22, this can't be carpal tunnel yet, can it?

[Cleveland Clinic, MD]

I am happy to address the questions that you pose, although it is important that you recognize that my impression is based entirely on the information you have provided in your posting and is by no means a substitute for an office visit with a neurologist.  Diagnosis is contingent on detailed history and physical exam and as such, the following information should be considered solely for educational purposes.

Your symptoms are sensory disturbance in the fingers in an area that is primarily supplied by the median nerve. The description of your symptoms, their distribution and that fact that these symptoms occur when you woke up means that you probabely had a certain position of your hand during sleep that resulted in compressing the median nerve at the wrist which caused the symptoms that are typically described as "carpal tunnel syndrome". which reflects compression of the median nerve at the wrist where it runs under the carpal tunnel formed by the fascia.

Though the median age of onset is usually in the 40's, but it can happen in any age. it can be caused by variety of things like trauma. usual risk factors inculde repetitive use of hands (typing..etc), positioning of the hands in a way that flexes the wrists and causes compression of the nerve.

Diagnosis is made by clinical history and neurological examination to detect evidence of nerve compression. sometimes electrodiagnostic testing is indicated. especially with severe snptoms or evidence of muscle loss.

Management of this condition is usually by using wrist splints at night to keep your wrists from flexing during sleep. you would typically wear the splints for few weeks untill the inflammation around the nerve subsides. You can also use some medications if there is any pain or discomfort. over the count NSAIDs like ibuprofen would be fine. some people use local steroid injections. physical therapy also can be helpful. in severe refractory cases surgical management can be helpful.

From the description your condition sounds like a mild case of CTS but I advice that you see a neurologist to establish the diagnosis, assess if you need any diagnostic testing and start the management plan. If your symptoms persist or if you develop significant pain, numbness, weakness or loss of muscle bulk at any point, you will need more evaluation with electrodiagnostic testing (nerve conduction study, EMG) to identify the extent of nerve involvement.

Good luck. I hope you feel better soon.