My Orthopaedic Surgeon

The following documents attempt to explain what carpal tunnel syndrome is, how it is diagnosed, and describe the treatment options available.

Pain on the side of the wrist and forearm just above the thumb may be DeQuervain's tenosynovitis. This is a common problem that is usually easily diagnosed. Like many other problems caused by repetitive injury to the hand and arm, this disorder results when the tendons (and the covering of the tendons called the tenosynovium) become inflamed.

Guyon's canal syndrome is a common nerve compression affecting the ulnar nerve as it passes through a tunnel in the wrist called Guyon's canal. This problem is similar to carpal tunnel syndrome, but involves a completely different nerve! Sometimes both conditions can be causing a problem in the same hand.

Intersection Syndrome is a painful condition that affects the thumb side of the forearm where two muscles cross over - or intersect - two underlying wrist tendons.

Trigger finger, and thumb, is a condition affecting the movement of the tendons as they bend the fingers or thumb toward the palm of the hand. This movement is called flexion.

AAOS Online Service Fact SheetArthritis of the thumb

SHC - Thumb Arthritis

AAOS Online Service Fact SheetArthritis of the Wrist

AAOS Online Service Fact SheetBaseball finger

AAOS Online Service Fact SheetBoutonnière Deformity

AAOS Online Service Fact Sheet

SCOI Presents Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome - About carpal tunnel syndrome

A description of true carpal tunnel syndrome, with a description of how myofascial trigger points can mimic the condition

AAOS Online Service Patient Education Brochures Carpal Tunnel Syndrome