Dictionary.com
Thesaurus.com
Synonyms

carpal tunnel syndrome

American  

noun

Pathology.
  1. a common disorder of the wrist and hand characterized by pain, tingling, and muscular weakness, caused by pressure on the median nerve in the wrist area and often associated with trauma, rheumatoid arthritis, or edema of pregnancy.


carpal tunnel syndrome British  

noun

  1. a condition characterized by pain and tingling in the fingers, caused by pressure on a nerve as it passes under the ligament situated across the front of the wrist

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

carpal tunnel syndrome Scientific  
  1. Chronic pain, numbness, or tingling in the hand, caused by compression of the median nerve in the wrist. It can be caused by repetitive bending and extension of the wrist, as in keyboarding, or by medical conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis and diabetes.


carpal tunnel syndrome Cultural  
  1. A repetitive stress injury to the wrist and hands often caused by typing on an ergonomically unsound keyboard. In this case, pain is thought to occur when swelling and scarring from the repetitive motion of typing compresses the nerves in the wrist. It is an example of an occupational disease.


Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

And don’t get me started on my strained hand with carpal tunnel syndrome from all the clicking.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 30, 2026

Having just had double surgery for carpal tunnel syndrome, she has two casts on her arms, rendering her incapable of even feeding herself.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 18, 2024

Karen Heister, a meat cutter at Albertsons, said her 24-year career left her with a torn rotator cuff, carpal tunnel syndrome in both hands and wasted vacation days spent at the doctor’s office.

From Seattle Times • Mar. 11, 2023

He was told it was probably carpal tunnel syndrome, but after further tests back home in the UK he was diagnosed with MND.

From BBC • Aug. 3, 2022

My back feels fine, meaning I’m not feeling it at all; even my wrists, damaged by carpal tunnel syndrome years ago, are issuing no complaints.

From "Nickel and Dimed: On (Not) Getting By in America" by Barbara Ehrenreich