The condition often requires surgical division of the retinaculum to relieve the pressure upon the nerve.

The groove on the palmar side, the sulcus carpi, is covered by the flexor retinaculum, a rigid band of fibrous tissue, thus forming the carpal tunnel.

On the side of the radius, the flexor retinaculum is attached to the scaphoid bone, more precisely its tubercle, as well as the ridge of trapezium.

The mesotendon shared by these tendons is attached to the radial and palmar walls of the carpal tunnel.

Carpal tunnel syndrome is characterized by tingling, burning and pain (needle, pin) through the course of median nerve particularly over the outer fingers and radiating up the arm, that is caused by compression of the carpal tunnel contents.