The wrist consists of eight bones called the carpals. The median nerve passes through the carpal tunnel, a tunnel which barely accommodates the structures which pass through it. A slight misalignment of a carpal or wrist bone may affect the size of the carpal tunnel and put pressure on the median nerve causing the signs and symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome.

The pain is usually in the distribution of the median nerve, which involves the thumb, index, middle finger and one-half of the ring finger. It is described as burning, aching, pins and needles and numbness. It may be a deep aching sensation in the forearm, shoulder and neck region. Occasionally, a person may be awakened by periods of sudden pain along the path of the median nerve.

The dominant hand is usually affected and is irritated by frequent, repetitive use of the same or similar movements of the hand or wrist. The incidence of carpal tunnel syndrome is increasing so rapidly it is expected that soon it will be second only to low back pain for work-related claimed disabilities.