What causes carpal tunnel syndrome?

The carpal tunnel is a narrow passage at the wrist containing the median nerve and finger-flexing tendons. If tissues inside it swell, or if the wrist stays bent or is loaded repeatedly, pressure can rise around the nerve. This may cause tingling, numbness, burning, or aching in the thumb, index, middle, and part of the ring finger. Symptoms often disturb sleep or make gripping and fine hand tasks harder. A repetitive strain injury can be associated with the condition, but symptoms can also arise with wrist injury, fluid retention, inflammatory joint disease, or other nerve problems. An examination helps separate these possibilities.

Keep the wrist in a neutral position during sleep and reduce tasks that require forceful gripping or prolonged bending. Take brief movement breaks during repetitive work and adjust tools or keyboard position if they provoke tingling. A clinician may recommend a wrist splint, exercises, or tests of nerve function. Persistent symptoms, reduced grip, or muscle wasting need review because prolonged nerve pressure can affect hand use. Do not rely on pain relief alone if numbness is progressing.

Arrange prompt assessment if numbness is constant, grip is weakening, objects are slipping, or the muscles at the base of the thumb look smaller. Seek urgent help for sudden hand weakness or numbness with facial weakness, speech trouble, or other new neurological symptoms. Review is also appropriate when symptoms follow a significant wrist injury or keep waking you.

Does my symptom pattern fit median nerve compression? Could my neck or another nerve be involved? Would a night splint or nerve test help? Which work tasks should I change, and when should treatment be escalated?