Definition:

'Carpal tunnel syndrome' ('CTS') is a median nerve entrapment neuropathy, that causes paresthesia, pain, numbness, and other symptoms in the distribution of the median nerve due to its compression at the wrist in the carpal tunnel. The pathophysiology is not completely understood but can be considered compression of the median nerve traveling through the carpal tunnel.

Symptoms:

• Intermittent numbness of the thumb, index, middle, and radial half of the ring finger that increases with wrist flexion
• Atrophy of thenar eminence
• Weakness in hand
• Pain worse at night

Causes:

• Repetitive movements
• Diabetes
• Pregnancy
• Faulty posture
• Heavy manual work

Treatment:

• ROM and stretching to wrist
• Hand intrinsic strengthening
• Posture program
• Soft tissue massage