Carpal tunnel is a common condition that affects the wrist and hand. The symptoms of carpal tunnel are often mistaken for arthritis, as both conditions can cause pain in the affected area. However, carpal tunnel is not a form of arthritis. Rather, it is a condition that occurs when the median nerve, which runs from the forearm to the hand, becomes compressed. This compression also causes tingling and numbness which can help distinguish carpal tunnel syndrome from arthritis.