Incidence Carpal tunnel syndrome often occurs among workers who have jobs that involve repetitive lifting or finger and wrist motions, causing repetitive strain, or stress, injuries. People who work with computers are likely candidates. Carpal tunnel syndrome also occurs among amateur and professional musicians, people who do needlework or other crafts involving the fingers and wrists, food-service workers who chop and cut, and athletes in certain sports. Conditions such as diabetes, thyroid disease, rheumatoid arthritis , and Lyme disease have also been linked to carpal tunnel syndrome. In addition people who weigh more than they should, do not get enough exercise, or have bad posture are at risk.
Some people feel pain in their hands, wrists, arms, or shoulders.
Symptoms your physician may observe The physician will ask you to bend back your hand at the wrist to test the flexibility of the wrist. You may need to squeeze a device that measures the strength of the hands and fingers. Another test for the syndrome involves holding the hands together as if praying, but upside down. After a few moments the physician will ask about numbness or tingling. He or she will also tap the hands and arms lightly and ask about tingling sensations at that time.