Carpal tunnel syndrome happens when the median nerve, which runs through a narrow passage on the palm side of the wrist, becomes compressed.

De Quervain's tenosynovitis is irritation and thickening of the sheath around two tendons that move the thumb, where they pass along the thumb side of the wrist.

Trigger finger (stenosing flexor tenosynovitis) happens when a tendon that bends the finger becomes irritated and thickened where it passes through a tight band of tissue (the A1 pulley) at the base of the finger.