Tendons connect the bones of the fingers to the muscles of the arm. At the wrist these tendons pass through a tunnel which is made of bones and a strong ligament. This is called the carpal tunnel. If tendons in the tunnel become swollen from overuse, they may pinch the nerve and cause damage.

other tunnel syndromes:

• Cubital Tunnel: "funny bone"
• Guyon Tunnel Syndrome: ulnar nerve in the hand
• Radial Tunnel Syndrome: lower arm
• Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome: ankle

symptoms:

• tingling, numbness and burning felt mainly in the first two fingers and thumb
• loss of strength, function and feeling
• pain often moves up the arm to the elbow, shoulder and neck.
• symptoms may interfer with sleep

treatment: -often splinting is done for several weeks to allow the median nerve to heal. In severe cases surgery may be performed.

More detailed information.