Carpal tunnel syndrome has gained a lot of attention over the past decade. Some say it is a sign of our technology-based society because so many patients complaining of the syndrome found that it resulted from constant computer use. However, this syndrome can result from many exercises in which the hand or wrist is over-used. Understanding the condition, how it progresses, and what the healing process is like will help in avoiding the condition or in assisting with the treatment process.

The carpal tunnel is a passageway through the wrist that protects the nerves and tendons that extend into the hand. The median nerve, a nerve is both motor and sensory, within the carpal tunnel is very close to nine tendons. When the tissues that which make up the tunnel become inflamed or swollen, or if one or more of the tendons becomes injured, the median nerve is compressed. This compression of the median nerve within the carpal tunnel produces numbness in the thumb and the second, third, and radial half of the fourth fingers. In some cases the muscles of the thumb may even waste away oratrophy.(1)

Sometimes the nerve becomes entrapped because of reasons that may not relate to overuse. It could be the result of diabetes, arthritis, or hypothyroidism. However, patients with carpal tunnel syndrome secondary to these diseases represent a very small percentage of total cases. It also may occur during pregnancy as a result of weight gain and fluid retention, and may additionally be associated with edema or trauma.(2)

The healthcare professional will usually give a diagnosis of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome when having the patient touch their two flexed wrists together results in numbness (Phalen's sign) or there is numbness when thumbing the palm of the hand (Tinel's sign).