A risk factor is something that raises the chances of getting a health problem. A person can get carpal tunnel syndrome with or without the ones listed below. The chances of getting it are higher in people who have many. It is more common in people over 50 years of age. It is also more common in women, especially during pregnancy. Other things that can raise the risk are:

Activities

This problem is more common in people who do repetitive tasks of the hands and wrists, such as computer users, factory workers, barbers, musicians, and vehicle drivers.

Obesity

People who are overweight or obese have a higher risk of this health problem.

Menopause

The hormone changes that happen during menopause can raise the risk in women.

REFERENCES:

American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS). Clinical Practice Guideline on the Treatment of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. AAOS 2016 Feb.

Carpal tunnel syndrome. American Society for Surgery of the Hand website. Available at: https://handcare.assh.org/Anatomy/Details-Page/ArticleID/27950/Carpal-Tunnel-Syndrome. Published 2015. Accessed November 20, 2019.

Carpal tunnel syndrome. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at:https://www.dynamed.com/condition/carpal-tunnel-syndrome. Updated June 24, 2019. Accessed November 20, 2019.

Carpal tunnel syndrome fact sheet. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke website. Available at: http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/carpal_tunnel/detail_carpal_tunnel.htm. Updated August 13, 2019. Accessed November 20, 2019.

Last reviewed September 2019 by EBSCO Medical Review Board James P. Cornell, MD