Carpal tunnel syndrome is often the result of a repetitive stress injury and can make many simple, around-the-house tasks impossible. It develops when the median nerve, running through the carpal tunnel of the wrist, becomes compressed and inflamed. The main symptom used in diagnosis is significant numbness or “pins and needles” in the thumb, index, and middle fingers. This leads to difficulty in opening jars and doors, using a knife, gardening, and playing a musical instrument or sports.