Although carpal tunnel syndrome has been described as a separate condition since 1950, clinical experience is such that patients all too often endure a delay in diagnosis or an orthopaedic differential misdiagnosis until their extremely unpleasant symptoms are finally taken seriously.
It is recognised that the disorder develops when an anatomical constriction, which runs in the family, and/or an increase in volume of the tunnel contents act as triggers.

The paresthesia in the hands, very often associated with diffuse wrist pain or a dragging pain in the lower arm, typically also occurs when cycling, phoning, using a hairdryer or performing other everyday tasks.

These symptoms can and must not be confused with nerve problems caused by disorders in the cervical spine – as they are caused by a kinking of the wrist under tension with simultaneous finger function whereby a measurable rise in pressure occurs in the carpal tunnel and symptoms of nerve compression arise.