What is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is a condition of the hand and wrist that can cause numbness, tingling and weakness. The carpal tunnel itself is a thin passageway that is “surrounded by bones and ligaments” on the palm side of your hand. The median nerve, the nerve that controls the “movement and feeling of your thumb” runs through the carpal tunnel. When the median nerve gets compressed, inflammation and swelling occurs in the carpal tunnel. This inflammation then leads to the tingling and loss of feeling in the hand and wrist.
The compression and inflammation of the median nerve can occur due to several reasons. Pre-existing conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure and rheumatoid arthritis can contribute to Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. However the most common reason is the repeated overextension of the wrist from using a keyboard, a mouse or hand tools. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is more commonly seen in the workspace where individuals are sitting at a desk, typing and clicking for the majority of the work day.