Results from a lesion that reduces the size of the carpal tunnel, i.e, fluid retention, infection, or excessive exercise of the fingers may cause swelling of the long flexor tendons or their synovial sheaths

The median nerve is the most sensitive structure in the carpal tunnel and is the most affected.

Clinical manifestations include paresthesia, hyposthesia, or anesthesia of the lateral three and a half digits.

There is a progressive loss of coordination and strength in the thumb

There is atrophy of the thenar eminence resulting in apehand deformity.

Treatment for carpal tunnel syndrome is carpal tunnel release, where there is a partial or complete division of the flexor retinaculum.

In carpal tunnel syndrome, the patient maybe awakened from sleep by a tingling and/or pain the thumb, index, and middle finger.

There may be a gradual numbness while driving, or difficulty in raising the arm to brush hair.

Atrophy of the thenar muscles is seen due to long standing compression of the median nerve in the carpal tunnel.

May result in edema b/c of excessive use of the 9 muscles of the hand.

Commonly seen in pregnant women or in hypothyroidism patients and patients with cretinism.

The pain is from the median nerve getting compressed

If a patient cannot abduct thumb, it is a sign of carpal tunnel syndrome

If the median nerve is injured, as is the case in carpal tunnel syndrome, than the abductor pollicis longus will also be affected. This is the only muscle always affected in carpal tunnel syndrome, hence, why it is necessary to determine if the thumb can be abducted or not.

- The carpal tunnel is narrow and no arteries and veins are transmitted through it for risk of potential compression.  The median nerve is however at risk of compression when the tunnel is narrowed for any reason.  This is the carpal tunnel syndrome and results in signs of median nerve motor and sensory impairment.  Note that the ulnar nerve and artery pass over the retinaculum and are thus outside the carpal tunnel.