The carpal tunnel is a narrow passageway located on the palm side of the wrist that is bound by bones and ligaments and can be as wide as your thumb. According to the Mayo Clinic, this tunnel protects a main nerve to your hand as well as nine tendons that bend your fingers. When pressure is placed on the nerve, pain and numbness can occur and eventually result in hand weakness and the condition known as carpal tunnel syndrome.Treatment is available for carpal tunnel syndrome, which sometimes requires surgery.
People Whose Jobs Strain Their Wrists
According to the Mayo Clinic, research suggests that carpal tunnel syndrome can result from overuse or strain from tasks that require a combination of repetitive, forceful and stressed movements of the hands and wrists. Using power tools and heavy assembly work are examples of tasks that can lead to carpal tunnel syndrome. Grinders, chippers, chainsaws and jackhammers are heavy equipment associated with carpal tunnel syndrome because these tools may require tight gripping and cause vibrations that are potentially damaging.
Women
Women are three times more likely than men to develop carpal tunnel syndrome, according to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. This can occur because a woman's carpal tunnel can be a great deal smaller than a man's. The pain and symptoms are typically realized first in the dominant hand. In addition, hormonal changes can increase the risk of carpal tunnel syndrome, putting pregnant women, menopausal or those using oral contraceptives at risk. But because fluid retention is likely the reason pregnant women develop carpal tunnel syndrome, the condition is expected to improve after childbirth.
Those With Certain Conditions and Disorders
According to the Mayo Clinic, diabetics or individuals with metabolic disorders are also at risk for developing carpal tunnel disorder because these conditions can affect the nerves.
Adults
According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, carpal tunnel syndrome usually affects only adults.
Those With Certain Hereditary Factors
According to the Mayo Clinic, hereditary factors can increase the risk of developing carpal tunnel syndrome in some individuals due to inherited physical qualities that can be common among closely related family members.
