The carpal tunnel is a narrow passageway of ligament and bones at the base of your hand that contains nerves and tendons. Sometimes, thickening from irritated tendons or other swelling narrows the tunnel and causes the nerve to be compressed, putting pressure on the median nerve. The median nerve provides feeling and movement to the "thumb side" of the hand (the palm, thumb, index finger, middle finger, and thumb side of the ring finger).
In some cases no direct cause of the syndrome can be identified. Most likely the disorder is due to a congenital predisposition - some people have smaller carpal tunnels than other people do. Carpal tunnel syndrome is common in people who perform repetitive motions of the hand and wrist.
Typing on a computer keyboard is probably the most common cause of carpal tunnel. Other causes include:
performing assembly line work Sewing Driving Assembly line work Painting Writing Use of tools (especially hand tools or tools that vibrate) Sports such as racquetball or handball Playing some musical instruments
Other causes include wrist injury, or swelling due to certain diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis. A number of medical problems are associated with carpal tunnel syndrome, including:
Bone fractures and arthritis of the wrist Acromegaly Diabetes Alcoholism Hypothyroidism Kidney failure and dialysis Menopause, premenstrual syndrome (PMS), and pregnancy Infections Obesity Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) Scleroderma
What causes Carpal tunnel syndrome?
The carpal tunnel is a narrow passageway of ligament and bones at the base of your hand that contains nerves and tendons. Sometimes, thickening from irritated tendons or other swelling narrows the tunnel and causes the nerve to be compressed, putting pressure on the median nerve. The median nerve provides feeling and movement to the "thumb side" of the hand (the palm, thumb, index finger, middle finger, and thumb side of the ring finger).
In some cases no direct cause of the syndrome can be identified. Most likely the disorder is due to a congenital predisposition - some people have smaller carpal tunnels than other people do. Carpal tunnel syndrome is common in people who perform repetitive motions of the hand and wrist.
Typing on a computer keyboard is probably the most common cause of carpal tunnel. Other causes include:
performing assembly line work {{ORGANIZATION}} line work Painting Writing Use of tools (especially hand tools or tools that vibrate) Sports such as racquetball or handball Playing some musical instruments
Other causes include wrist injury, or swelling due to certain diseases, such as {{ORGANIZATION}} arthritis. A number of medical problems are associated with carpal tunnel syndrome, including:
Bone fractures and arthritis of the wrist {{NAME}} Alcoholism Hypothyroidism Kidney failure and dialysis {{ORGANIZATION}}, premenstrual syndrome ({{ORGANIZATION}}), and pregnancy {{ORGANIZATION}} lupus erythematosus ({{ORGANIZATION}}) Scleroderma