What are the symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome?

CTS symptoms often develop gradually and are more severe in the dominant hand.

The first symptoms include tingling or numbness of the thumb, index and middle fingers which may come and go initially. You may also experience weakness in hand grip with the tendency to drop objects. It may first be noticed

when holding objects or driving.

Commonly, it improves with shaking of the affected hand. Occasionally, there may be pain or an abnormal feeling that the hand "is swollen”.

Over time, the condition may worsen and result in persistent numbness, permanent weakness and wasting of the thumb muscles.