Lingua/Sprache/Language          -   Last updated 19 Jul 2008

What are the causes of carpal tunnel syndrome?

Carpal tunnel syndrome is often the result of a combination of factors that increase pressure on the median nerve and tendons in the carpal tunnel, this increased pressure produces ischemia of the median nerve. Most likely the disorder is due to a congenital predisposition , (the carpal tunnel is smaller in some people than in others). Other contributing factors include trauma or injury to the wrist such as sprain or fracture. A lot of conditions may be associated with carpal tunnel syndrome: pregnancy, arthritis, amyloidosis, hypothyroidism, diabetes mellitus, acromegaly, therapy with estrogens and corticosteroids, tumours of tendon sheaths ,wrist cysts, menopause. Carpal tunnel syndrome is also associated with repetitive activities of the hand and wrist, awkward hand positions ,strong gripping , mechanical stress on the palm ,vibration . High incidence of carpal tunnel syndrome is present in food processing, manufacturing, logging, and construction work, cashiers, hairdressers, or knitters or sewers: those are examples of people whose work-related tasks involve the repetitive wrist movements associated with carpal tunnel syndrome. Bakers who flex or extend the wrist while kneading dough, and people who flex the fingers and wrist in tasks such as milking cows, using a spray paint gun, and hand-weeding are other examples. Research conducted by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) indicates that job tasks involving highly repetitive manual acts, or necessitating wrist bending or other stressful wrist postures, are connected with incidents of carpal tunnel syndrome or related problems. The use of vibrating tools also may contribute to carpal tunnel syndrome.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

• What is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?
• What are the symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome?
• Who is at risk of developing carpal tunnel syndrome?
• What are the causes of carpal tunnel syndrome?
• How is carpal tunnel syndrome diagnosed?
• How can carpal tunnel syndrome be prevented?
• How is carpal tunnel syndrome treated?

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