Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is a collection of symptoms and signs caused by compression of the median nerve in the carpal tunnel.

In the carpal tunnel - 9 tendons (4 FDP, 4 FDS, FPL) and median nerve. Covered by flexor retinaculum.

Epidemiology:

• Most common entrapment neuropathy (prevalence about 1 in 25).
• Females aged between 40 and 60 years are at highest risk.

Aetiology:

• Narrowing of the tunnel - e.g. ganglion cysts development
• Swelling of contents (e.g. swelling of tendon sheaths due to repetetive strain)

Causes:

• idiopathic
• pregnancy
• Oral contraceptive pill
• oedema e.g. heart failure
• lunate fracture
• Hypothyrodism
• rheumatoid arthritis

PC

• pain/pins and needles in thumb, index, middle finger