Cervical radiculopathy is certainly on the differential diagnosis

The differential diagnosis for carpal tunnel syndrome includes:

• C6 or C7 radiculopathy. (With radiculopathy expect to see neck pain and pain proximal to the wrist)

• Osteoarthritis. This may exist concurrently occur with CTS, but would see tenderness and crepitus on exam (and EMG would also be normal unless CTS co-exists)

• Ulnar neuropathy Just like CTS but wrong nerve! The sensory symptoms are on the medial aspect of the hand, distal forearm and 4^th and 5^th fingers (instead of radial 3 ½ finders). No thumb weakness.

• De Quervain tenosynovitis: Extensor tendinitis of the thumb. With this, tend to see pain with movement of thumb along with tenderness near the radial styloid. EMG is normal (unless CTS co-exists)