Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is an injury caused by a pinched
nerve in the wrist. The injury causes pain and numbness in the
index and middle fingers and weakness of the thumb. Carpal
tunnel receives its name from the eight bones in the wrist,
called carpals, which form a "tunnel" through which the nerve
leading to the hand extends. Signs and symptoms of CTS include:
The carpal tunnel is filled with tendons (bundles of collagen
fibers that attach muscle to bone) that control finger movement.
Tasks requiring highly repetitive and forceful movements of the
wrist can cause swelling around the tendons, resulting in a
pinched nerve and producing CTS. People working with small hand
tools in manufacturing and those using a computer keyboard on a
regular basis are especially at risk. Women are 2 - 5 times more
likely than men to develop CTS. It most commonly occurs in
people ages 30 -60. CTS is associated with health conditions,
such as Lyme disease, hypothyroidism, rubella, pregnancy,
obesity, and menopause. High ca