Carpal tunnel syndrome

Carpal tunnel syndrome, sensation of pins-and-needles or numbness in the thumb and first two fingers, plus pain in the wrist, in the palm, or in the forearm. The carpal tunnel is the part of the wrist that encloses all the wrist tendons and the median nerve, one of the main nerves supplying the hand. This syndrome results from the compression of the median nerve when the fibrous tunnel becomes swollen. This may occur during pregnancy when the tissues are more likely to swell. The syndrome is relatively common, and is seen more often in women. A mild condition that usually responds rapidly to treatment, it can become chronic, and then surgery to remove swollen or damaged tissue may have to be considered. The condition is common among typists and keyboarders.