Causes and Risk Factors

Many factors act to increase the pressure on the median nerve and tendons in the carpal tunnel. Some people may be born with narrower carpal tunnels, predisposing them to develop CTS. It is three times more common in women. Repetitive wrist movement, e.g. flexing of the wrist when using a computer mouse, may aggravate CTS. People with diabetes, obesity, hypothyroidism, rheumatoid arthritis and injury to the wrist are more likely to develop CTS. It is also more common in pregnant women.