Hand and wrist pain happens for various reasons, whether it is from a sudden injury such as a fracture or sprain, or an underlying issue like arthritis . Another condition that may be causing your pain is carpal tunnel syndrome. Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is a condition in which the major nerve in your hand ─ the median nerve ─ compresses and becomes narrowed, causing numbness, tingling, and pain in the hands and wrist, often felt in the thumb, index, and middle finger. Over time as symptoms develop, ...