by EBSCO Medical Review Board

This can be caused by the carpal tunnel having:

  • Irritation
  • Swelling
  • Fluid build up
  • A growth in or around it
    • Common ways that can happen are:

    • Moving the hands, wrists, or fingers, the same way over and over, such as:
    • Typing on a computer
    • Playing some musical instruments
    • Using hand tools
    • Using tools that vibrate
    • Breaking or hurting the wrist
    • Having a narrow carpal tunnel (being born with one or for other reasons)
    • Having tumors or cysts in the carpal tunnel
    • Some health issues can cause swelling or fluid build up:
    • Arthritis
    • Diabetes
    • Kidney or heart disease
    • Pregnancy
    • Thyroid problems

    References

    Carpal tunnel syndrome. American Society for Surgery of the Hand website. Available at: https://www.assh.org/handcare/condition/carpal-tunnel-syndrome. Accessed May 2, 2022.

    Carpal tunnel syndrome. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: https://www.dynamed.com/condition/carpal-tunnel-syndrome. Accessed May 2, 2022.

    Carpal tunnel syndrome fact sheet. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke website. Available at: http://www.ninds.nih.gov/health-information/patient-caregiver-education/fact-sheets/carpal-tunnel-syndrome-fact-sheet. Accessed May 2, 2022.

    Revision Information

    • Reviewer: EBSCO Medical Review Board James P. Cornell, MD
    • Review Date: 03/2022
    • Update Date: 05/02/2022