Carpal tunnel syndrome can be an aggravating condition that interferes with function of the hand and fingers. It can be mild or severe enough to cause permanent damage. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, carpal tunnel syndrome can be responsible for a significant number of lost workdays in various industries. Carpal tunnel syndrome can be caused by several factors, and treatments vary and depend upon the cause and severity of the symptoms.
Other Systemic Health Problems
Carpal tunnel syndrome can be a secondary problem that is caused by another health concern such as rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, menopause and thyroid disease. These conditions create inflammation and swelling that affects the tissues surrounding the nerve in the wrist, as well the nerve itself in many cases, creating a narrowing through which the nerve and tendon structures pass, causing constriction and abnormal pressure.
Another type of condition-induced carpal tunnel syndrome is pregnancy-induced CTS. Because of fluid retention that can occur during the course of a pregnancy, swelling of the nerve, tendons and bordering ligaments that help to comprise the anatomic carpal tunnel can exert pressure upon the median nerve, causing the symptoms.
Trauma
Traumatic injury to the palm of the hand and wrist can cause significant swelling, which can result in excessive pressure against the median nerve. One of the most common injuries in which carpal tunnel syndrome can be a complication is a wrist fracture.
Severe or displaced wrist fractures often involve angulation of the distal radius bone, the end of the forearm bone on the thumb side of the wrist, which in turn causes pressure on, and stretching of, the nerve. The median nerve can also be a casualty of a fracture when, during the actual injury, the bone edges actually impact the nerve tissue directly, causing injury and potential nerve damage.
Another example of repetitive trauma to the hand, wrist and palm can be found on the assembly line in the automotive industry. Use of pneumatic devices such as air hammers and pneumatic wrenches can play a large part in the development of CTS. Repetitive impact from these tools can cause injury to not only the nerve itself, but also the surrounding tissues, ligaments and bones in such as way as to elicit inflammation and swelling.
Overuse and Repetitive Use
One example of overuse activities that can cause carpal tunnel syndrome is that of the keyboard user. Constant typing and other keyboard functions can cause inflammation to develop, followed by swelling, pain and numbness into the thumb, long and index fingers.
Other activities, including repetitive hammering, jackhammer usage, and repeated heavy grasping can precipitate pain, swelling and inflammation bringing on the carpal tunnel symptoms.
Heredity
Another cause of carpal tunnel syndrome is heredity. Certain people have hereditary tendencies toward narrower-than-normal physical makeups of their hand and wrist anatomy, thereby causing a tunnel too small to accommodate the nerve and tendons as they pass through the wrist on to the hand and fingers. This abnormally narrow tunnel exerts increased pressure from bones and ligaments pressing on the nerve.
