What is carpal tunnel syndrome?

Carpal tunnel syndrome is a condition primarily characterized by compression of the median nerve as it passes through the carpal tunnel at the wrist. This area is a narrow passageway made up of bones and ligaments, which can become constricted due to various factors such as swelling, inflammation, or structural abnormalities. When the median nerve is compressed, it often leads to symptoms such as pain, numbness, tingling, and weakness in the hand and fingers.

Understanding that carpal tunnel syndrome specifically involves the median nerve helps distinguish it from other wrist-related issues. For instance, a breakdown of the wrist joint typically refers to degenerative changes in the joint surfaces rather than nerve compression. Similarly, injuries to the wrist ligaments concern the stability and support of the wrist structure but do not directly involve nerve compression. Inflammation of the wrist tendons may lead to wrist pain, but it is distinct from the nerve-related symptoms associated with carpal tunnel syndrome. Therefore, recognizing that median nerve compression is the defining characteristic of carpal tunnel syndrome highlights why this answer is accurate.