Most cases of carpal tunnel syndrome develop from repeating the same hand or wrist motions or flexing or extending the wrist or hand in unnatural positions over an extended period of time. In some cases, it can be caused by trauma, such as the trauma sustained in a car accident, workplace accident, or some other case of personal injury.
Pregnant women and those who have certain health conditions, such as diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, and a thyroid gland imbalance may also be more likely to develop carpal tunnel syndrome.
Some people are at increased risk of carpal tunnel syndrome because they may be predisposed{: target="_blank"} to having a smaller “tunnel.” Those people are particularly susceptible to developing the syndrome from trauma, but a doctor may not make the connection between trauma sustained several months earlier and carpal tunnel syndrome, because it’s usually caused by repetitive motion over a long period of time.
Therefore, a detailed history of medical conditions, how the hands have been used, and prior hand, arm, and wrist injuries are important parts of diagnosing carpal tunnel syndrome, according to the American Society for Surgery of the Hand.