The patient should report whether the symptoms especially appear at night or after particular tasks. During a physical examination, the doctor will perform simple maneuvers called provocative tests that help distinguish between CTS and other problems. If symptoms develop within a minute, CTS is indicated. If the test lasts for more than a minute even patients without CTS may develop symptoms. The physician may also test for muscle weakness by pressing on the thumb as the patient holds it and the little finger together.
Some physicians use a diagram of a hand and wrist, which is usually divided into six regions.
The patients are asked to indicate where their symptoms, including pain, numbness, or tingling, are by located the affected areas on the diagram. The patients may also be asked to rate the severity of their symptoms. If the doctor suspects that an underlying medical condition may be exacerbating the symptoms, laboratory tests will be performed. The doctor may take an x-ray, for example, to check for arthritis or fractured bones. Carpal tunnel syndrome can be identified with some accuracy using simple physical and self-assessment tests along with a medical history and when similar medical conditions or underlying disorders have been ruled out.