Is this Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?

I have this pain on my left wrist.  I've had it for sometime but I don't pay close attention to it since my dominant hand is the right.

It is very painful when I bend it.  The pain is concentrated on the center of the bottommost part of my palm.  It hurts when I try to do some wrist flex.  The pain is very bad that it feels that it is swollen but I don't see any swelling.

The doctor once told me to take Vit b1, which I do, and the pain subsides.  But when I fail, the pain goes back.  I don't take ibuprofen or any pain reliever.

The only thing that puzzles me is that, I know that CTS normally affects woman and it normally happens with your dominant hand.

I just want to know, if this is really CTS? If so, what exams do I need to take? I mean, do I need to get an xray or anything?

Thanks a lot

[tnecniv]

Anyone?

[Dr Vinod]

Hello!

Carpal tunnel syndrome is numbness, tingling pain, and weakness in the thumb, index and middle fingers as a result of irritation of the median nerve.

I would suggest you to get yourself examined by an orthopedician or a neurologist and ask him to conduct both Tinel's test and Phalen's test and to diagnose CTS.

Nerve conduction tests and electromyography will also be useful for diagnosis.

Take care!

[tnecniv]

Thanks a lot Dr. Vinod.

One more question, when I go to the doctor, is it better if I go there while my hand is hurting? I mean, would he be able to diagnose it better if the median nerve is irritated if I do the tests while my hand is hurting? Or its ok for me to drop by and do the test even if my hand feels ok?

Thanks a lot again and have a good day.

[Dr Vinod]

Hello!

It is always good to go during acute phase of your pain for proper diagnosis.

If you have chronic pain then if the level of pain is less then you can take an appointment any time as it can be diagnosed by nerve conduction or electromyography.

The most sensitive test is to estimate combined sensory index.

Take care!

[tnecniv]

Thank you so much for taking time to answer my queries.

Have a great day, Dr. Vinod and more power!