The carpal tunnel is a hollow area in the wrist. The median nerve, blood vessels, and flexor tendons of the fingers and thumb all pass through the carpal tunnel. Problems arise when the content or structure of the tunnel swells and presses the median nerve against the ligament. People who use poorly designed tools, assembly-line workers, and typists are prone to carpal tunnel syndrome. Symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome usually include pain, burning, weakness, tingling, or numbness in one or both hands.
Treatment usually consists of wearing braces or splints at night to keep the wrist from bending.
If these methods are not successful, surgery may be required. Faren't always serious, but a break almost always is debilitating in some way. A fracture usually affects surrounding tissue, so there is often swelling and additional pain as a result of the extra damage. Since most broken bones are caused by trauma of some kind, shock and emotional distress often occur as well. Broken bones can cause pain, swelling, deformity, discoloration, tenderness, and loss of function in the affected area.