Can Carpal Tunnel Cause Shoulder Pain?

Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) most often affects the hand and wrist. It can affect just one or both hands and occurs when direct pressure is placed on the median nerve. Individuals who perform repetitive motions, like typing all day, often experience this condition.

This nerve, located at the base of the hand, provides feeling in some fingers and the impulse to muscles going to your thumb. When pressure builds in this area from excessive use or repetitive movement, it can cause symptoms ranging from a pins and needles sensation to a shooting pain up the arm.

Can Carpal Tunnel Affect the Shoulder?

While carpal tunnel syndrome is most often associated with wrist pain, there is also a link between CTS and shoulder pain. This is because when the median nerve is pinched, it can impact all of the muscles and joints from your fingertips to the cortex of your brain.

This can cause pain that radiates to your shoulder and neck. You may notice this pain when you do specific motions, or it may be more of a constant sensation. It can even be so intense that it feels like an electric shock.

Treatment Options for Carpal Tunnel

Whether you have carpal tunnel syndrome in your hands or shoulder, several treatment options are available to help you find relief from your symptoms. It’s best to start with less invasive approaches like adjusting your position, keeping the affected area immobile, or taking over-the-counter anti-inflammatory drugs to help reduce inflammation and pain.

If immobilizing, massaging, or pain management medication doesn’t work, surgery is an option for severe cases.

Surgery for Treating CTS

If your pain is severe or the symptoms are worsening, it’s best to seek out the guidance and help of professionals. There are surgical options available, like carpal tunnel decompression, that can help you find relief from your symptoms.

During this surgery, the surgeon cuts the transverse carpal ligament to relieve some of the pressure from the median nerve. The procedure is relatively quick and typically has a positive outcome, with the pain relieving immediately or within a few days after the procedure.

Ready to Get Back to Living Life?

If CTS is negatively impacting your life, The Hand Center of Louisiana offers medical evaluation and both non-surgical and surgical procedures to relieve pain and regain control of your life. Our team specializes in hand and upper extremity conditions and is committed to delivering the fully integrated care you need to heal and thrive.