The carpal tunnel is the passageway in the wrist and which consists of:
- 8 Carpal Bonesand
- Transverse Carpal Ligament
It is through this narrow tunnel, the median nerve and the tendons that connect the fingers to the muscles of the forearm pass through.
The median nerve is responsible for the following:
- Sensation in palm side of the thumb, index, middle finger, and the inside half of the ring finger.
- Innervates, muscles in the forearm that allows grasping objects with the forefinger and the thumb.
Carpal Tunnel syndrome occurs when the median nerve is compressed due to pressure put on the nerve by swelling of the nerve itself, surrounding tendons, or a combination of factors which may increase pressure
There are many possible causes of carpal tunnel syndrome but most cases are idopathic or have unknown cause.
Some possible causes include:
- Any condition that puts pressure on the wrist
- Excessive, repetitive hand and wrist movements
- Congenital predisposition (narrow carpal tunnel)
Early detection of carpal tunnel syndrome makes treatment easier and recovery can be achieved in only a few months. If left untreated it may become a chronic disease.
