Jonathan Oheb, MD, compares the symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome with pronator teres syndrome.
“Whereas carpal tunnel syndrome is compression of the median nerve at the wrist, pronator syndrome is median nerve compression at the elbow,” says Jonathan Oheb, MD, North Valley Orthopedic Institute, Chief of Orthopedic Hand and Upper Extremity Surgery.
Symptom Comparison
“Symptoms similar to carpal tunnel syndrome include numbness, pain, tingling, burning in the thumb, index, middle and half of the ring finger.
“Differences unique to pronator syndrome include aching pain localized to the forearm, lack of night symptoms (seen in CTS), worsening with repetitive prono-supination, loss of sensation to the palm of the hand (due to a branch of the median nerve that comes off before the carpal tunnel).”
How a Doctor Can Tell Which One You Have
Doctors look at where the pain and numbness show up and what movements trigger them.
Simple exams and nerve tests help tell them apart.
Physicians use physical tests such as tapping over the median nerve, wrist-bending maneuvers and forearm resistance checks, along with nerve conduction studies (EMG), to see where the median nerve is being compressed.
In addition to hand, elbow and shoulder care, Dr. Oheb provides comprehensive surgical and nonsurgical treatment for all orthopedic conditions of the hip, knee and ankle, including broken bones and injuries. jonathanohebmd.com
Lorra Garrick is a former personal trainer certified through the American Council on Exercise. At Bally Total Fitness she trained women and men of all ages for fat loss, muscle building, fitness and improved health.
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