Carpal tunnel syndrome - What will happen?
Your symptoms may go away, especially if you are young and haven't had carpal tunnel syndrome for too long.
But the pain, numbness and tingling in your hand will often return.[2] If the nerve damage at your wrist is severe, your symptoms are likely to get worse without treatment.
More than a third of people with carpal tunnel syndrome recover completely within six months without treatment.[3] Your symptoms are more likely to go away if you got them when you were pregnant or if you are young and you haven't had carpal tunnel syndrome for too long.[4] Most pregnant women find the symptoms go after they've given birth, although some still have symptoms a year later.[1] But your symptoms are less likely to go away without treatment if you have pain in both wrists and the damage to your nerve is more severe.[4]
In some people, carpal tunnel syndrome gets worse with time.[2] This can happen quickly, or your symptoms may stay the same for a long time. If your symptoms become severe, carpal tunnel syndrome will probably get worse faster. If you don't get treatment, your symptoms could become serious. Some people who have severe carpal tunnel syndrome permanently lose most of the use of their hand.
References
- Pazzaglia C, Caliandro P, Aprile I, et al Multicenter study on carpal tunnel syndrome and pregnancy incidence and natural course. Acta Neurochirurgica. 2005; 92 (supplement 1): S35-S39.
- Fatami T, Kobayashi A, Utika T, et al. Carpal tunnel syndrome; its natural history. Hand Surgery. 1997; 2: 129-130.
- Padua L, Padua R, Aprile I, et al. Multiperspective follow-up of untreated carpal tunnel syndrome: a multicenter study. Neurology. 2001; 56: 1459-1466.
- Marshall S, Tardif G, Ashworth N. Local corticosteroid injection for carpal tunnel syndrome (Cochrane review). In: Cochrane Library. Update Software, Oxford, UK.
© BMJ Publishing Group Limited ("BMJ Group") 2007. All rights reserved
This information does not replace medical advice. If you are concerned you might have a medical problem please ask your Boots pharmacy team in your local Boots store, or see your doctor.
