Most people associate the symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) with older adults, especially those with hobbies that strain the wrist such as golfing or tending the garden. However, this condition can affect younger men and women as well. While repetitive activity over many years seems to be the primary culprit for the pain, numbness and tingling through the hand and wrist that are associated with carpal tunnel, there are several other potential causes that have nothing to do with age.
Causes for CTS in Younger Patients
There are a few different reasons why a younger patient may consider carpal tunnel treatment:
- Physical injury – An injury to the wrist can compromise the carpal tunnel, leading to the nerve compression that’s responsible for CTS.
- Health conditions – Certain health conditions, such as diabetes or obesity, can increase the risk of developing CTS symptoms.
- Genetics – The tunnel that houses the median nerve may simply be naturally narrower in some patients, increasing the risk of CTS compared to men and women with a wider carpal tunnel.
Carpal tunnel syndrome is one of those health conditions that’s so frequently mentioned among the general public that sometimes it’s hard to separate the myths about carpal tunnel from the facts. You don’t have to be close to retirement to experience the median nerve compression that defines carpal tunnel syndrome. If you do have symptoms that seem similar to CTS, it’s important to seek prompt treatment from an experienced hand and wrist surgeon who can recommend the best course of action.
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