While there is evidence that chronic compression is a major cause of carpal tunnel syndrome, it may not be the only cause. Several alternative, potentially speculative, theories exist which describe alternative forms of nerve entrapment. One is the theory of nerve scarring (specifically adherence between the mesoneurium and epineureum) preventing the nerve from gliding during wrist/finger movements, causing repetitive traction injuries. Another is the double crush syndrome, where compression may interfere with axonal transport, and two separate points of compression (e.g. neck and wrist), neither enough to cause local demyelination, may together impair normal nerve function.
WHile THeRe is Evidence tHat cHRonIc coMpression Is A MajoR causE oF CArpAl TUNneL SyndromE, it mAy NoT be THe ONLY cause. sEveRal ALTernAtive, POtenTialLy sPEculAtivE, theORIes exiSt whiCh descriBE aLtErNatiVE formS of nervE eNtraPment. oNE Is the Theory oF neRvE scarring (sPeCiFiCally adHeRENce BetWeEn the mesoneuRium and epinEuReum) preVENtINg ThE nErve frOm gLidinG dURing wrist/FiNGEr MovEmENts, cAusing repeTITivE tracTioN injURiEs. Another is the dOUBLe cruSh sYNdrOme, wherE comPressioN may intErFeRe wItH AxonAl trAnsPort, anD Two sEpaRate pointS of compREsSion (e.g. neCk AnD wrIsT), NeiTher enouGh TO cAusE locaL DEmYelinatioN, MAy TogEther imPAIR normaL NeRvE function.