Risk factors
The main risk factors in carpal tunnel syndrome include:
- Female gender: Being a woman increases the chances of carpal tunnel syndrome because more women usually suffer from this health problem than men. There could be a genetic or morphologic predisposition in the size or the disposition of structures in their carpal tunnel.
- Increasing age: As we age, it becomes more likely to suffer from carpal tunnel syndrome. The disease is not common before age 30 years. On the contrary, the peak of diagnoses of carpal tunnel syndrome starts at age 40 years, and it is only reduced after 70 years old.
- Small bones forming the carpal tunnel: This is probably one of the most common genetic predispositions to carpal tunnel syndrome. These patients have smaller bones and a smaller carpal tunnel. Thus, a small change or accumulation of material around the area causes carpal tunnel syndrome. When carpal tunnel syndrome runs in families, this is a very likely cause.
- Repetitive movements of the wrist and hands: Work-related causes of carpal tunnel syndrome are prevalent, especially for people who need to use their hands to work for many hours every day and perform repetitive movements every time. For example, people with assembly-line jobs need to extend or flex their wrists for a long time. That includes people who work in electronic assembly, the fish and meat processing industry, hairdressers, and forestry work. Computer work is also related to a higher risk of carpal tunnel syndrome when an ergonomic position is not achieved.
- Frequent exposure to cold temperatures: Cold temperatures affect the body by reducing blood flow, causing constriction in vascular structures, and contributing to muscle tension. All of these aspects can independently increase the risk of carpal tunnel syndrome. For example, a reduction in the blood flow accelerates the process of ischemia of the median nerve described above, causing axonal degeneration and leading to carpal tunnel syndrome.