Symptoms include a prickling or tingling sensation or dulled sensitivity - especially when this is experienced at night. With this often comes a feeling of uselessness in the fingers. They feel swollen though no swelling appears. As symptoms increase the tingling comes in the day, usually to the thumb, index and ring fingers. The ability to squeeze things is inhibited.
Symptoms arise from a compression of the median nerve.
According to the BLS Bureau of Labor Statistics most recent 1998 report, manufacturing had the highest per worker rate of 6.2 cases per 10,000 workers. Then comes transportation and public utilities with 2.4 cases per 10,000 workers. Private industries came in with 3.0 per 10,000. Of 10 types of injury and illness that were work related, CTS ranked 6th. The medium number of days off work from CTS was 24 days, though this number is on the decline.