What are the causes of carpal tunnel syndrome?
Disease description:
I’ve been diagnosed with carpal tunnel syndrome, but I’m unsure why I developed it. Could you please explain the possible causes of carpal tunnel syndrome?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Lin Yunfei
This condition is typically caused by chronic overuse of the wrist—such as in occupations like carpentry or cooking—leading to pathological changes. Acute fluctuations in pressure within the carpal tunnel result in compression occurring exclusively on the superficial (palmar) side of the transverse carpal ligament, where only skin and subcutaneous tissue lie. As the tunnel’s lumen progressively narrows—due to endocrine disorders, scar formation from trauma, or wrist fractures and dislocations—the posterior and lateral walls of the carpal tunnel may contribute further to luminal constriction.
