Is It Carpal Tunnel Or Tendonitis? How to Tell The Difference.

Hand and wrist pain can be scary, especially when it starts interfering with sleep, work, or the things you love to do. Many people come to Renew Wellness asking the same question:

“Is this carpal tunnel… or is it tendonitis?”

They feel similar at first: aching, soreness, maybe some tingling or weakness. But carpal tunnel syndrome and tendonitis are two different problems that require different strategies to fully heal.

This guide will help you:

• Understand the key differences between carpal tunnel and tendonitis
• Learn simple self-checks you can do at home
• See when it’s time to get professional help
• Discover how our 1:1 physical therapy approach at Renew Wellness can help you get long-term relief

This article is for education, not a diagnosis. If you have severe or worsening symptoms, always consult a medical professional.

What Is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) is a condition where the median nerve is compressed as it travels through a narrow passage in your wrist called the carpal tunnel.

Common Carpal Tunnel Symptoms

You’re more likely to be dealing with carpal tunnel if you notice:

• Numbness and tingling in:
  • Thumb
  • Index finger
  • Middle finger
  • Half of the ring finger
• Symptoms that are:
  • Worse at night or when waking up
  • Triggered by typing, driving, holding a phone, or gripping tools
• Dropping objects or feeling like your grip is weaker
• Feeling like your hand “falls asleep” often
• Shaking or flicking your hand to “wake it up” brings temporary relief

What Causes Carpal Tunnel?

Common contributors include:

• Repetitive hand and wrist motions (typing, mouse use, assembly work, tools)
• Prolonged positions with bent wrists (sleeping, phone use, driving)
• Swelling or fluid retention (pregnancy, certain medical conditions)
• Prior wrist fractures or arthritis

What Is Tendonitis In The Hand Or Wrist?

Tendonitis (or tendinitis) is irritation or inflammation of a tendon—the fibrous tissue that connects muscle to bone.

In the hand and wrist, common types include:

• Wrist flexor tendonitis – pain on the palm side of the wrist
• Wrist extensor tendonitis – pain on the back of the wrist/forearm
• De Quervain’s tendonitis – pain along the thumb side of the wrist

Common Tendonitis Symptoms

You’re more likely dealing with tendonitis if you notice:

• Localized pain over a specific tendon or spot
• Pain that:
  • Gets worse with movement or gripping
  • Feels better with rest
• Soreness or stiffness when you first start using your hand
• Possible mild swelling or tenderness to the touch
• Sharper pain with:
  • Lifting
  • Turning a doorknob
  • Opening jars
  • Using tools or sports equipment

Tendonitis usually feels more like a movement-related pain than a numbness or tingling problem.

Carpal Tunnel vs Tendonitis: Quick Comparison

Here’s a side-by-side look at the biggest differences:

Simple Self-Checks: Carpal Tunnel Or Tendonitis?

These at-home tests are not a diagnosis, but they can give you clues.

1. Symptom Mapping Test

Ask yourself:

• Do you mainly feel numbness/tingling in the thumb, index, middle, and part of ring finger?
  • More likely: Carpal Tunnel
• Do you mainly feel pain or soreness in a specific spot (wrist, thumb side, back of wrist), especially with certain motions?
  • More likely: Tendonitis

2. Nighttime & Morning Check

• Symptoms worse at night or first thing in the morning, waking you up or forcing you to shake your hand out?
  • Points toward Carpal Tunnel
• Symptoms worse during or after activity, like typing, lifting, or gripping tools?
  • Points toward Tendonitis

3. Wrist Position Test (for Carpal Tunnel)

Try this:

• Bend your wrists down as far as is comfortable and hold for 30–60 seconds (hands relaxed).
  • Increased numbness, tingling, or burning in the thumb/index/middle fingers = possible carpal tunnel
• Now bend wrists back (extension) and hold for 30–60 seconds.
  • Same nerve-type symptoms increasing = possible carpal tunnel

4. Tendon Load Test (for Tendonitis)

• Press along the painful area of your wrist or thumb side.
  • Does it feel specifically tender on a tendon or small area? That supports tendonitis.
• Try the movement that usually hurts (gripping, lifting, twisting).
  • Pain clearly increases with that motion?
    • Again, more consistent with tendonitis than nerve compression.

If your symptoms are mixed or hard to interpret, you may have both issues at once—which is more common than most people realize and is something we treat frequently at Renew Wellness.

Can You Have Carpal Tunnel AND Tendonitis?

Yes. Repetitive strain, poor ergonomics, and overuse can stress both your tendons and the median nerve.

You might notice:

• Numbness and tingling (carpal tunnel)
• AND pain with movement or at a specific tendon (tendonitis)

This is where a thorough, 1:1 physical therapy evaluation becomes essential. Treating only one issue while ignoring the other often leads to partial or temporary relief, and the problem slowly creeps back into your daily life.

What Should You Do Next?

A focused, 1:1 evaluation with a physical therapist at Renew Wellness can help finally give you clarity:

• Is it carpal tunnel, tendonitis, or a combination?
• And what, exactly, should you do about it?

By looking at how your neck, shoulder, forearm, wrist, and hand all work together, we design a research-backed, manual-therapy-supported plan tailored to your job, lifestyle, and goals.

You don’t have to keep guessing, googling, or “pushing through” the pain. With the right guidance, most people can:

• Calm their symptoms
• Protect their nerves and tendons
• Get back to using their hands confidently and pain free