Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) is becoming much more common in the United States. CTS is the name for problems that affect your wrist and hand. These problems include swelling, burning, tingling, numbness, and lost of strength. Women are three times more likely to develop CTS than men.

Carpal tunnel gets its name from bones in the wrist, called carpals, that form a tunnel-like structure. The tunnel is filled with tendons that control finger movement. It also provides a pathway for the median nerve in the hand. Flexing and extending the wrist repeatedly may cause a thickening of the protective sheaths around the tendons. The swollen tendon sheaths apply increased pressure on the median nerve and produce Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS).

Possible Causes of CTS

There are a number of things that may increase your chances for developing CTS including:

• Repetitive Movements. Doing the same movements with your wrists and hands over and over may lead to CTS. People in certain types of jobs such as manufacturing and assembly line workers, grocery store checkers, violinists, and carpenters are more likely to develop CTS. Some hobbies and sports that require repetitive hand motion can also cause CTS, such as golfing, knitting, and gardening. The research has yet to determine whether long-term typing or computer use causes CTS.
• Injury or Trauma to Your Wrist.
• Pregnancy. Hormonal changes make women more prone to CTS during pregnancy and menopause.
• Medical Conditions. People who have diabetes, hypothyroidism, lupus, obesity, and rheumatoid arthritis are more likely to get CTS. In rare cases, a woman may get CTS if she develops lymphedema following a mastectomy.
• Age. The CTS risk increases as you age.

Steps to Prevent CTS

• Prevent Workplace Musculoskeletal Injury. Make sure that your work area and equipment are at the right height and distance so you can work with less stress to your hands and wrist. Reduce exposure to vibration from hand tools. If you work at a computer, your keyboard should be at a height so your wrists rest comfortably without bending at an angle.
• Take Breaks. Experts believe that taking a 10- to 15-minute break every hour is a good way to prevent CTS. This allows your hands and wrist to rest and recover.
• Vary Your Tasks. Break up tasks that require repetitive wrist and hand motion with those that do not.
• Relax Your Grip. Work at doing hand and wrist motions more gently and less tightly when possible.
• Do Exercises. After doing repetitive movements for a while, flex and bend your hands and wrist in the opposite direction several times.
• Keep Your Hands Warm. Cold muscles are more likely to get hurt and increase your risk for getting CTS.

Treatment

If you have symptoms of CTS, see your doctor. The earlier CTS is treated, the better the results. Left untreated CTS can cause nerve damage that leads to loss of feeling and less hand strength.

Sources: “NIOSH Fact Sheet: Carpal Tunnel Syndrome,” National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health, www.cdc.gov/niosh. “Carpal Tunnel Syndrome,” National Women’s Health Information Center, www.4women.gov.