Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: Causes

What causes carpal tunnel syndrome?

Carpal tunnel syndrome is caused by compression of the median nerve, which runs through the wrist. Compression of the median nerve can be caused by fluid retention, swelling, or abnormal bone anatomy in the wrist. Specifically, median nerve compression can be caused by such conditions as:

• Acromegaly (hormonal disorder that leads to bone and cartilage overgrowth)

• Diabetes (chronic condition that affects your body’s ability to use sugar for energy)

• Hand or wrist trauma or fracture

• Hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid)

• Menopause

• Pregnancy

• Repetitive or jarring motions of the hands and wrists due to such activities as typing, keyboarding, sewing, performing dental work, or using a chain saw or jackhammer

• Rheumatoid arthritis (chronic autoimmune disease characterized by joint inflammation)

What are the risk factors for carpal tunnel syndrome?

A number of factors are thought to increase your chances of developing carpal tunnel syndrome. Risk factors for carpal tunnel syndrome include:

• Acromegaly (hormonal disorder that leads to bone and cartilage overgrowth)

• Diabetes (chronic condition that affects your body’s ability to use sugar for energy)

• Family history of carpal tunnel syndrome

• Hand or wrist trauma or fracture

• Hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid)

• Long-term repetitive or strenuous actions, or jarring of the hands and wrists, such as keyboarding, sewing, performing dental work, or using a chain saw or jackhammer

• Menopause

• Pregnancy

• Rheumatoid arthritis (chronic autoimmune disease characterized by joint inflammation)

Reducing your risk of carpal tunnel syndrome

Not all people with risk factors will get carpal tunnel syndrome, but you can lower your risk of developing carpal tunnel syndrome by minimizing pressure on the median nerve. Measures you can take include:

• Changing or limiting repetitive motion or jarring activities of the hands and wrists, such as keyboarding, sewing, performing dental work, or using power tools

• Ensuring that keyboards are placed low enough so that wrists are not flexed

• Not flexing the wrists for long periods of time

• Seeking regular medical care and following your treatment plan for underlying conditions, such as acromegaly, diabetes, hypothyroidism, pregnancy, rheumatoid arthritis, and trauma to the hand or wrist