Acute carpal tunnel syndrome.

Carpal tunnel syndrome is considered the most common of the chronic compressive neuropathies. Its cause is generally unknown. Acute carpal tunnel syndrome, which is much less common, is more often directly related to fractures and fracture-dislocations about the wrist, hemorrhagic conditions, and vascular disorders involving the wrist. Many rare and unusual causes have been described, including chronic conditions that may be associated with acute carpal tunnel syndrome, such as rheumatologic disorders and anomalous anatomy. In contrast to the more common chronic idiopathic form, the acute form of carpal tunnel syndrome requires urgent surgical intervention to avoid or diminish serious sequelae.