Carpal tunnel syndrome differential diagnosis
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]
Overview
carpal tunnel syndrome is often associated with repetitive work-related motions. Since, there are many conditions cause similar symptoms to CTS, an accurate history and physical examination are essential in this regard.
Differential Diagnosis
- Idiopathic
- Carpometacarpal arthritis of thumb
- Cervical radiculopathy (C6)
- Flexor carpi radialis tenosynovitis
- Median nerve compression at elbow
- Raynaud phenomenon
- Ulnar or cubital tunnel syndrome
- Vibration white finger
- Volar radial ganglion
- Wrist degenerative arthritis
- Rheumatoid Arthritis
- Joint line pain, pain on motion, radiologic finding
- Neck pain, numbness in thumb and index finger only
- Tenderness near base of thumb
- Tenderness at the proximal forearm
- History of symptoms related to cold exposure
- First dorsal interosseous weakness, fourth and fifth digit paresthesias
- Uses vibrating hand tools at work
- Mass near base of thumb, above wrist flexion crease
- Limited motion at wrist, radiologic finding
- Acromegaly
- Amyloidosis
- Benign tumor
- Congestive Heart Failure
- Dermatomyositis
- Diabetes Mellitus
- Estrogens
- Fibrosis of flexor tendons
- Gout
- Hematoma
- Hypothyroidism
- Leprosy
- Mucopolysaccharidoses
- Paget's Disease
- Paraproteinemia
- Pregnancy
- Sarcoidosis
- Scleroderma
- Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
- Tenosynovitis of flexor tendons
- Trauma
- Tuberculosis
- Uremia
- Wrist ganglion