Which of the following is a common symptom of carpal tunnel syndrome?

Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is a condition that results from compression of the median nerve as it travels through the wrist. A key feature of CTS is the sensory loss that typically affects the palmar surface of the first three digits—the thumb, index finger, and middle finger—and sometimes part of the ring finger. This occurs because the median nerve innervates these areas.

The sensation loss in the first three digits can present as numbness, tingling, or a burning sensation, often exacerbated during activities that involve wrist flexion or extension. This area of sensory innervation is significant because it aligns with the distribution of the median nerve, making it a hallmark symptom of CTS.

In contrast, other symptoms listed might not be directly associated with carpal tunnel syndrome. For instance, weakness in wrist extension is more characteristic of radial nerve issues or other conditions affecting wrist extension. Similarly, loss of sensation in the little finger (which is innervated by the ulnar nerve) does not correlate with median nerve dysfunction, and constant pain in the forearm may suggest other musculoskeletal or neurological conditions rather than CTS specifically.