Distal median nerve dysfunction

Disease	Injury	Nutrition	Poison

Special Topic	Surgery	Symptoms	Test

Central nervous system

Overview

Symptoms

Treatment

Prevention

Distal median nerve dysfunction

Alternative Names:

Neuropathy - distal median nerve

Carpal tunnel syndrome

Symptoms:

Sensation changes of the thumb and first 2 fingers
- Numbness, decreased sensation
- Tingling, burning sensation
- Waking up at night with wrist or hand pain (may be severe)
Weakness of the hand
- Dropping things
- Difficulty grasping objects

Signs and tests:

Examination may show decreased sensation in the thumb side (radial) fingers of the hand. There may be weakness of the thumb and difficulty using it to pinch.

Tests that reveal distal median nerve dysfunction may include:

An EMG (a recording of electrical activity in muscles)
Nerve conduction tests
A nerve biopsy (rarely needed)

Tests are guided by the suspected cause of the dysfunction as suggested by the history, symptoms presented, and pattern of symptom development. They may include various blood tests, X-rays, scans, or other tests and procedures.

Review Date: 7/25/2002
Reviewed By: Joseph V. Campellone, M.D., Division of Neurology, Cooper Hospital/University Medical Center, Camden, NJ. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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